About Event

Registration

Delegate registration and welcome

Opening Ceremony

• Ahmed Nadeem - ABU Secretary-General

• Mr. Gihan De Silva - Chairman, SLRC

• Hon. Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media

Keynote Address

Prof. Mohan Munasinghe - Ex-Vice Chair of the IPCC (shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize)

"The Role of Media in Building Climate Resilience and Emergency Readiness"

Group Photo & Networking

Official group photography and networking break

Media and Climate Action: Global Priorities and Regional Realities

As the global climate crisis intensifies, the media stands at the crossroads between science, policy, and public understanding. Broadcasters and journalists can interpret complex climate data, simplify scientific findings for audiences, and promote evidence-based reporting that inspires informed public action. By aligning global priorities with community voices, the session highlights media's power to drive awareness, accountability, and resilience in the face of climate change.

Moderator: Indra Singh - Director, ABU News Director

Panellists:

• Stephanie Speck – Head of Special Initiatives, Green Climate Fund – remotely
• Dr Ananda Malawathantri - UN Expert on Climate Action
• Leel Randeniya – Director-General, Climate Secretariat, Ministry of Environment, Sri-Lanka
• Kavinda De Zoysa – Chairman, Bank of Ceylon
• Edwin Salonga – Programme Lead, Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) & Climate Based Adaptation (CBA), Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) – Bangkok, Thailand

From National Campaigns to Global Commitments: The Role of Media in Sustainable Community Building

This session will highlight the national campaigns promoting environmental sustainability through community participation and media engagement. It will showcase how public service media collaborate with government and civil society to drive public awareness, reduce waste, and foster long-term behavioural change.

Moderator: Dr. W.M.W Weerakoon, Agriculture – Consultant, FAO

Speakers:

• G.M.R.D. Aponsu – Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance & Economic Affairs)
• Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara – Additional Secretary to the President (Clean Sri Lanka Programme)
• Thinley Dorji – Offtg. Chief Engineer, BBS Bhutan
• Ryan Lee Chun Hoe – Content Manager, SMG Sarawak

High-Level Dialogue: Partnerships for a Cleaner, Greener, and Safer Tomorrow

This high-level dialogue will bring together leaders from media, government, finance, and international organisations to explore how strategic partnerships can accelerate progress toward sustainability. The discussion will underscore the importance of cross-sector collaboration and sustainable financing mechanisms in advancing climate action, disaster risk reduction, and environmental conservation. Through collective commitment and shared vision, the session will demonstrate how the combined power of media, policy, science, and investment can drive meaningful change and deliver lasting impact for a Cleaner, Greener, and Safer Tomorrow.

Moderator: Ahmed Nadeem – ABU Secretary-General

Video Message: Kamal Kishore – Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Head of UNDRR

Speakers:

• Wataru Fujishita – General Media Administration, NHK Japan
• Jeanette Elsworth – Chief, Communications, Advocacy, Knowledge Management and ICT, UNDRR
• Prof. Devaka Weerakoon – Head of Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science, University of Colombo
• Michelle Bellino – Director of MEI and Women Activities, UNI Global Union - Asia & Pacific

Lunch Break

Networking lunch and refreshments

Climate Storytelling: Turning Science into Public Awareness

Media can transform complex climate science into engaging, human-centered stories that inspire awareness and action. The focus is on storytelling approaches that highlight solutions, resilience, and community-driven responses, shifting the narrative from crisis to empowerment. The goal is to help media professionals strengthen their ability to tell hopeful, solution-oriented climate stories that motivate audiences not only to understand the challenges—but to care, connect, and act for a sustainable future.

Moderator: Varinder Gambhir – BBC Media Action, Regional Director, India

Speakers:

• Nora Gale – Assistant Programme Specialist, ICG/IOTWMS Secretariat, Australia
• Dao Son An – Newscaster, Vietnam Today, VTV International, Vietnam
• Elakeyaa Selvaraji – Presenter, CNA TV International, MediaCorp, Singapore
• Aman Ul Haq – Deputy Head, International Relations, PTV Pakistan
• Viswa Dulanjee – PhD. Student, Sri JAYAWARDANEPURA University

No One Left Behind: Inclusive Climate and DRR Communication for All

This session explores how media can ensure that climate information, education, and early-warning messages are accessible to all — including children, youth, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, women, and remote or low-income communities. As climate change deepens existing inequalities, inclusive communication becomes crucial to saving lives and strengthening resilience.

Moderator: Krishna Karkee – Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Action (CA), Humanitarian Response (HR), and Development professional

Speakers:

• Biena Magbitang – Climate Tracker.Asia, Philippines – remotely
• Tyne Logan – Weather Newscaster, ABC Australia – remotely
• Senali Wijesooriya – Communication Specialist, ChildFund Sri Lanka
• Arush Balalla – Young Journalist, SLRC Sri-Lanka
• Michelle Bellino – Director of MEI and Women Activities, UNI Global Union

Coffee & Networking

Refreshment break and networking opportunity

Workshop: Battling Climate Misinformation

The Media's Role in Protecting Truth and Public Trust | Media and Information Literacy (MIL) principles in work of media organizations

Climate misinformation spreads rapidly across digital and social media, the credibility of science and journalism faces unprecedented pressure. Broadcasters can combat false narratives, politicization of climate issues, and public fatigue, while maintaining trust and accuracy in their reporting. Integrating Media and Information Literacy (MIL) principles into work of media organizations can empower audiences to critically assess information, identify false narratives, and engage responsibly in climate discussions.

Facilitator: Nargiza Numanova – Head of SG's Office, ABU

Contributors:

• Varinder Gambhir – Regional Director, BBC Media Action, India
• Dilrukshi Handunnetti – Director, Centre for Investigative Reporting, Mongabay, Sri Lanka
• Ma'aly Hazzaz - UNESCO's Regional Advisor for South Asia, UNESCO Delhi Cluster Office