SUNFO Global Sustainable Development Summit concludes

“Sustainable Development Goals action decade 2021 to 2030” hosted by SUNFO Global Federation was held at the BMICH, recently with MP, State Minister of Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products Dayasiri Jayasekera as the Chief Guest. Minister Jayasekera was honoured by presenting Bharat Ratna Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam birth Anniversary high recognition award.

Coinciding with Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam’s birthday, the ‘Lead India Foundation of India’ commended presenting these awards to political leaders for their contribution in promoting sustainability through health, education, agriculture, peace and public co-existence.

State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara was the recipient of the award for 2021 for his In addition a “Special Appreciation Award” was presented to Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera by the Institute of Economic Studies, New Delhi at this event.

“We have started the journey of establishing batik and handloom villages which will provide employment opportunities for women as well as apparel factories. We strongly believe that women empowerment can pave the way for them to contribute towards creating an educated and empowered nation in the future,” the Minister said.

“My Ministry and I believe in providing equal opportunities to everyone in the society irrespective of religion, ethnicity, gender, class or political affiliations.”

SUNFO Director-General Ambassador of Peace Dr Deshapriya S. Wijetunge delivering the welcoming address said that SUNFO (Sri Lanka UN Friendship Organisation ) was inaugurated on 22 May 1999 under the patronage of Dr K. B. Rathnayake then-Speaker of the Parliament with the blessings of Peter Witham (United Nations Resident Coordinator) and representatives of all segments of the society leaders as founders.

SUNFO is a non-political, non-racial and non-sectarian organization working towards the peace, harmony and well-being of mankind. SUNFO was actively involved in MDG Campaigns, mobilizations and capacity building of all segments during the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) era reaching over one million persons with the guidance of the “United Nations Millennium Campaign.”

Memorial Address of 90th Birthday of Peoples President Bharat Ratna Dr A. P. J Abdul Kalam was delivered by International Guest of Honour Ambassador Dr Sir Hari Krishna Maram, President of Lead India Foundation and Vice-Chancellor of Global Digital University USA.

Dr Maram said that APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India was an aerospace scientist and also played an instrumental role in the May 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests.

His involvement in Nuclear Power in India earned him the title “Missile Man of India His birth anniversary is observed as World Students’ Day. He was honoured with several prestigious awards including India’s highest civilian honour “Bharat Ratna” in 1997.

“All of us do not have equal talent. But, all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents,” he said, quoting from Dr Abdul Kalam.