Catalyze 2025: Accelerating Ambition, Unlocking Action

Uniting Business, Shaping Solutions, and Advancing Sri Lanka’s Sustainability Agenda

On Monday, 24 November, the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka (Network Sri Lanka) convened business leaders, policymakers, UN entities, academics, and development partners for CATALYZE 2025—a full-day event highlighting the power of collective ambition and cross-sector collaboration. Delivered in strategic partnership with UNFPA Sri Lanka and The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the gathering united key actors advancing responsible business and sustainable development. With sessions covering economic outlooks, digital supply chains, human rights, gender equality, climate action, and corporate integrity, CATALYZE 2025 spotlighted Sri Lanka’s readiness to accelerate sustainable development with renewed focus.

A Day Framed by Global Insight

The event opened with remarks from Rathika de Silva, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, who reflected on 25 years of the UN Global Compact and the need for unified sustainability action. The launch of the UNFPA Sri Lanka–UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka In-Country Hub for Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment and the Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business marked a key milestone in advancing gender-focused corporate leadership.

Two high-level addresses anchored the plenary with clarity and substance.

• Lakshini Fernando, Principal Economics Officer at the Asian Development Bank, delivered a compelling State of the World Address, “Beyond the Noise: Global Headwinds, Fiscal Transitions, and the Unshaken Case for Sustainable Growth,” offering a nuanced analysis of the global economic landscape.
• Victor Antonypillai, Principal Country Officer for the International Finance Corporation, followed with the headline address on “Financing the Future: Mobilizing Private Capital for Sustainable Growth,” highlighting pathways for unlocking private-sector investment.

Together, their insights provided an essential macroeconomic frame for the dialogues that unfolded throughout the day.

A Mosaic of Expertise: Parallel Sessions Throughout the Day

The programme’s strength lay in its diversity, with each session spotlighting a critical dimension of responsible and future-ready businesses.

Digital Transformation

In an expert-led masterclass on “Digital Supply Chain Transformation”, Chiranthi Cooray, Founder, Accedo Intel (Sri Lanka) and Accedo Intel Pty Ltd (Australia), guided participants through the evolving ecosystem of digital supply chains - outlining the benefits, risks, and the need to strengthen capability for successful adoption.

Human Rights Integration

Yasangi Randeni, Group Chief Sustainability Officer and Assistant Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Sustainability at Aitken Spence PLC, led a practical workshop titled “From Policy to Practice,” unpacking how companies can identify and address vulnerabilities across human rights touchpoints in business operations.

Inclusion in the Workplace

A dedicated workshop with Esther Hoole, Strategic Partnerships & Coordination Analyst at UN Women Sri Lanka, focused on embedding inclusivity and cultivating workplaces where all employees can thrive, with UN Women serving as the knowledge partner for this session.

Climate Action: Local and Global Perspectives

The NDC 3.0 Implementation Forum featured a fireside chat with:

• Suranga Karavita, Senior Technical Specialist, UNDP
• Rashindu Mendis, Technical Specialist for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, UNIDO (AICRSL)

The discussion centered around industrial climate accountability technology and innovation for decarbonization, along with the challenges and opportunities in advancing social inclusion and public–private partnerships. Virtual insights from UN Global Compact Country Networks China, Mexico and Nigeria added a valuable global lens to national implementation strategies.

Supply Chain Traceability

Keshini Talwatte, Country Lead for ADB’s GS1 Traceability and Transparency project, delivered an expert session on Interoperability in Action, demonstrating how GS1 standards’ role in supply chain transparency, with Sri Lankan case studies showing digital passports boosting market access. GS1 also served as the knowledge partner for this session.

Nutrition & Business

In collaboration with UNICEF Sri Lanka, a multi-agency expert session explored the intersections between nutrition and business action, featuring:

• Dr. Abner Daniel, Chief of Nutrition, UNICEF
• Dilka Peiris, Program Policy Officer, Nutrition, WFP Sri Lanka
• Gilma Dahanayake, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security & Co-operative Development

Ocean Stewardship

Erik Giercksky, Head of Oceans at the UN Global Compact, led a session titled “Advancing Ocean Stewardship in Sri Lanka,” aligning local action with the UN Global Compact Sustainable Ocean Principles and offering practical guidance on translating these global commitments into actionable strategies.

Inclusion & Storytelling

An insightful roundtable moderated by Thanuja Jayawardena, Head of Gender Equity & Code of Conduct at MAS Holdings, examined how brands can advance inclusion through responsible and sensitive storytelling. With companies and creative agencies at the table, the discussion emphasized authentic narratives that uphold dignity, challenge harmful norms, and align brand communication with ethical and inclusive values.

Water Stewardship

A robust panel discussion, moderated by Radheeka Jirasinha, Researcher for the International Water Management Institute , brought together academia, industry, and environmental experts to explore integrated water stewardship.

Speakers included:

• Prof. Lalith Rajapakse, Chairman of UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Water Management
• Prof. Rohan Fernando, Chairman of National Science and Technology Commission & Gem and Jewelry Research and Training Institute
• Shiranee E. Yasaratne, Senior Technical Advisor, Biodiversity Sri Lanka
• Dr. Anuruddha Gamage, General Manager – HR & Corporate Sustainability, Kelani Valley Plantations PLC

Workplace Productivity & Women’s Empowerment

In partnership with UNFPA Sri Lanka, a panel titled “Beyond Equality: Empowering Women, Strengthening Businesses” brought together:

• Joni Simpson, Country Director, ILO Sri Lanka & Maldives
• Miguel Proenca, Private Sector & Innovative Financing Specialist, UNFPA Asia-Pacific
• Isuru Gunasekara, Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer, John Keells Group
• Renuka Weerakoon, Director General & CEO, The Board of Investment Sri Lanka

Moderated by Anu Amarasinghe, Partnerships & Advocacy Analyst, UNFPA Sri Lanka, the dialogue emphasized how advancing women’s leadership directly strengthens business resilience.

Reflections on Diversity & Inclusion

In recognition of World Disability Day, companies including Hemas Holdings PLC, Hayleys Advantis Limited, and DIMO PLC shared powerful presentations following a stage performance by Rajitha Hettiarachchi that highlighted disability inclusion through art and lived experience.

Business Integrity

Closing the day, Arj Wignaraja, Partner and Growth Alchemist at Good Life X, facilitated an invite-only Dilemmas Forum exploring complex ethical challenges and the leadership required to navigate them.

A Collective Commitment to Action

The culmination of CATALYZE 2025 reflects more than a successful convening. It signals the growing momentum within Sri Lanka’s private sector to not only engage with global sustainability standards but to shape them through innovation, accountability, and collaboration.

As UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka looks ahead, one message is clear: advancing sustainable development demands broader participation and deeper commitment across all sectors. CATALYZE 2025 signaled what is possible when business leadership aligns with national priorities - driving inclusive growth, resilient economies, and dignified opportunities for all. Network Sri Lanka invites companies and partners to join the Compact, engage in transformative programming, and co-create solutions that strengthen responsible business. By expanding this community of practice, we can accelerate progress on the SDGs and ensure sustainable development delivers real benefits for people and the planet. Together, we can move from commitment to measurable impact for a brighter future for Sri Lanka.