The inaugural edition of the ‘Innovation Island Summit’ commenced today (20th) in Colombo, bringing together delegates from 50 countries to explore the transformative dynamics of island nations, the innovations emerging from them, and their impact on the global stage.

The 2-day summit is being co-hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), the High Commission of India, and the CMG.

The high-level summit will feature a keynote address by President Anura Kumara Disanayake. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Minister Vijitha Herath will also address the forum at the ITC Ratnadipa.

Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, is also in attendance. Kant has been the key driver of Make in India, Startup India, Incredible India, and God’s Own Country. He has spearheaded Ease of Doing Business, Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP), Production-Linked Incentive Schemes (PLI), the liberalisation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Private-Public Partnerships (PPP) in infrastructure, and Asset Monetisation programmes and policies for the Government of India. He has led the national effort to accelerate India’s transition to cleaner energy, spearheading sustainability initiatives such as the Green Hydrogen Mission and the National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage, and pushing ambitious climate finance reform through the Green Development Pact in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.

Ministers, parliamentarians, senior officials, and leading subject matter experts from around the world are taking part in the summit’s panels and roundtable discussions.

The forum will examine innovative solutions for accelerated development and growth and will explore key sectors defining the present and future trajectory of island economies and other states.

Major themes for deliberation will include the possible contours of a post-2030 development agenda, connectivity and infrastructure, finance and investment, emerging technologies, the blue economy, energy and green imperatives, and the role of women and youth as change-makers. Through these discussions, the summit aspires to promote a stronger ethic of collaboration among stakeholders across diverse geographies and sectors.

The forum will also host studio sessions that will provide nuanced perspectives on issues such as advancing maritime infrastructure, international cooperation in an uncertain world, efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals in the Indo-Pacific, boosting startup ecosystems across island states, and ensuring decent jobs for all.

The Innovation Island Summit is expected to become a premier international event focused on innovation, and a flagship forum for island states and other nations to enter into dialogue and build partnerships.

Remarks by High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka H.E. Santosh Jha at the Innovation Island Summit.

A very good afternoon to all of you. Namaskar, Ayubowan.

I know this is not my stage and so I will be brief with my remarks. 

So, first let me welcome all of you to the first edition of the Innovation Island summit in Colombo. In particular, those coming from outside of Sri Lanka; I am told that we have 200 participants from over 45 countries. 

I am particularly happy that we will have a chance to listen to the views and receive guidance from President of Sri Lanka HE Anura Kumara Disanayaka. We are also fortunate that the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka would also be taking part and making keynote addresses at different times during this two-day summit. Immediately after my remarks, we will also have the pleasure to listen to Shri Amitabh Kant, a senior of mine in the Civil Service, who has many distinctions. In a country where tourism is a major economic activity, you would be pleased to know that he conceived and implemented the “Incredible India” campaign. More recently, in 2023, Shri Amitabh Kant steered the most successful G20 summit in its history, as India’s G20 Sherpa during the Indian Presidency of the G20. 

I must also thank the ORF and Capital Maharaja Group for organizing this event. This is an effort at bringing global conversations to Sri Lanka. And in my view, this is a good time to have them in Sri Lanka.   

A few observations.

First, Sri Lanka is on the cusp, potentially, of a big change. People’s aspirations and expectations have found a new expression in the two elections held in Sri Lanka. The Covid pandemic and the economic crisis in Sri Lanka has underlined the need for a transformation that many Lankans have yearned for generations to happen. 

Second, Blue, Green and Chrome as the three themes of the conference are most suited for Sri Lanka in its quest for transformation. Blue is an obvious choice for an Island surrounded by waters with huge potential. Green, too, is appropriate as Sri Lanka as an Island country is particularly vulnerable to climate change. It is also blessed with rich potential for green energy, including for energy exports to the larger Asian region. And Chrome because digitization has become the new currency for low middle income countries to transcend their entrenched inefficiencies; and to outgrow them to position themselves to take full advantage of the many opportunities in an emerging geo-technological age. 

Third, and this is my last point. Like any other country, Sri Lanka cannot afford to stay in isolation. Global connectivity and interdependence remain a norm even in this new era of re-globalization. Whether it is markets abroad, or critical imports or tourism, investment and technology, Sri Lanka needs to remain engaged with the rest of the world. This requires a better understanding of global trends and opportunities. I am sure that this conference would help build a better appreciation of the need for global engagement as a means to fulfilling the aspirations of Sri Lankans for change, growth, and prosperity. 

As far as we in India are concerned, we are engaged with Sri Lanka on the basis of our Neighborhood First and SAGAR approach. Our relations are based on the principles of solidarity; of sharing whatever best we can offer to each other; and being a partner of first as well as last resort. Today, our relations are better than ever before and spread across a wide range of domains. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi has described connectivity, energy and digitization as the three principal pillars of our development partnership. We are also engaged in other areas such as health, education, ports and airports, agriculture, fisheries in addition to security and defence. As civilizational twins, our partnership is a necessity and not a matter of choice. Our future is tied together even more than our past was. 

So, among all our shared pursuits, it is important that we also have a discussion around the state of the world as well. A shared perspective and understanding would help us rise above past hesitations and old mindsets. It will help us build a new relationship which is suited for our shared aspirations especially as new opportunities beckon us in the 21st century.  

So, for this reason also, I am grateful to the ORF for choosing Colombo for the first edition of the Innovation Island Summit. I hope this becomes an annual tradition like other such pursuits of ORF led by Mr. Samir Saran. 

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