Top financial experts unite in Colombo to address climate and fiscal challenges in Asia-Pacific

• PDMO and ADB jointly host Asian Regional Public Debt Management Forum 2026

Senior policymakers, debt managers, and representatives from major international financial institutions convened in Colombo recently for the Asian Regional Public Debt Management Forum 2026, as Asian economies grapple with rising debt vulnerabilities, mounting climate-related risks, and growing uncertainty in the global economic environment.

Held under the theme ‘Climate Resilience and Debt Sustainability in Asia,’ the high-level three-day forum aims to strengthen regional cooperation and policy dialogue on fiscal resilience and sustainable public debt management across the Asia-Pacific region.

The forum is jointly organised by the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) of Sri Lanka’s Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The event opened with remarks by Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando and ADB Vice President – Finance and Risk Management Roberta Casali.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Fernando stressed the importance of strengthening public debt management frameworks and enhancing regional cooperation to support macroeconomic stability, fiscal resilience, and long-term economic growth.

The Forum also drew participation from Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Deputy Governor Dr. Chandranath Amarasekara, senior Government officials, and representatives from regional and global institutions.

Discussions over the three-day event are expected to focus on the global and regional economic outlook, debt sustainability analysis, debt management under current macroeconomic conditions, disaster risk financing, and the impact of elevated debt levels on monetary policy frameworks.

Participants are also expected to deliberate on emerging policy areas such as green and sustainable financing, development of local currency debt markets, and the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in debt management operations.

The Forum additionally aims to facilitate exchanges on institutional reforms, governance improvements, and the specific challenges faced by small island economies in managing debt and climate vulnerabilities.

A dedicated session on Sri Lanka’s experience in establishing the PDMO is expected to provide insights into the country’s recent institutional reforms and ongoing efforts to strengthen governance, operational efficiency, and debt management capacity in line with international standards.

The event brings together experts and officials from institutions including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), European Central Bank, Commonwealth Secretariat, UN Conference on Trade and Development, and S&P Global Ratings, alongside finance ministries and public debt management agencies from across Asia and the Pacific.

The forum, scheduled to conclude tomorrow (29), comes at a time when many developing economies are facing tighter global financial conditions, rising refinancing risks and increasing pressure to balance fiscal consolidation with climate adaptation and growth priorities.

The Finance Ministry noted the event reflects a broader regional commitment to advancing resilient, transparent and sustainable debt management frameworks capable of supporting long-term macroeconomic stability and inclusive economic development.