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G.L. Peiris meets with high-profile figures in Geneva

03 Mar 2022

  • Talks held with UK’s UN State Minister Tariq Ahmad, Commonwealth Secy. Gen., OIC Ambassador, World IP Organisation DG
Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris met with several prominent international figures this week during his visit to Geneva, Switzerland to attend the 49th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the Foreign Ministry said yesterday (2). On 28 February, Prof. Peiris had met with UK Government Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office Minister of State for South and Central Asia, North Africa, the UN, and the Commonwealth Lord Tariq Ahmad, where bilateral co-operation and reconciliation had been discussed. Ahmad visited Sri Lanka earlier this year, where he met with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as well. Furthermore, he had met with Secretary General of the Commonwealth Baroness Patricia Scotland. Discussions had focused on the economy, tourism and vocational training for youth. During his meeting with Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) in Geneva Permanent Observer Ambassador Nassima Baghli, Prof. Peiris had discussed Sri Lanka’s longstanding friendly relations with members of the OIC, the multi-ethnic and multi-religious nature of the Sri Lankan society, the significant contribution from its Muslim community, and matters relating to advancing their interests. He had also met with World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Director General (DG) Daren Tang where advancing technical co-operation in intellectual property in the areas of policy development, digitisation, geographical indications, and the empowerment of youth in the use of IP for research and development had been discussed. Prof. Peiris is due to address the UNHRC tomorrow (4), during the interactive dialogue on Sri Lanka, where a report on Sri Lanka will be presented by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. A meeting between Bachelet and Prof. Peiris is also on the cards. Prof. Peiris made his initial remarks to the UNHRC on Tuesday (1), where he reiterated the Government of Sri Lanka’s criticism of the evidence-gathering mechanism as established by Resolution 46/1 which was adopted by the UNHRC last year. Prof. Peiris is leading the Sri Lankan delegation, comprising President’s Counsel and Justice Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry, Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana, and Foreign Ministry Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage.


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