Sri Lanka's parliament speaker urges efforts to enhance South-South cooperation at Boao Forum

The Global South should work together to enhance cooperation in areas such as technological advancement and green development, Jagath Wickremerathne, speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, said on Thursday at the plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2026.

While addressing the plenary, Wickremerathne highlighted the positive role China has played in promoting regional cooperation and development.

"Through initiatives that encourage connectivity, investment and development partnerships, China has contributed meaningfully to advancing shared growth across the region. I therefore believe that this year's theme 'Shaping a shared future, new dynamics, new opportunities, new cooperation' is extremely timely and relevant to today's world context," he said.

Wickremerathne said that the global landscape is shifting in ways that are both complex and uncertain, and geopolitical tensions are fragmenting global cooperation at a time when unity is most needed.

He called upon countries in the Global South to enhance cooperation in various fields.

"South-South partnerships allow us to share our development experiences, exchange technology, expand trade, and build resilience together. There's a need to reinforce multilateralism and promote inclusive dialogue. Constructive engagement among nations, institutions and stakeholders is vital to rebuilding the trust and ensuring that a global governance mechanism remains effective and responsive. The technological advancement must be guided by shared principles. We must accelerate climate action, and ensure that the Asia rapid development is balanced with environmental responsibility," he said.

The BFA Annual Conference 2026 started the plenary on Thursday in Boao, south China's Hainan Province.

Founded in 2001, the BFA is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals.

Running from March 24 to 27, this year's conference is themed "Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation."

Sri Lanka's parliament speaker urges efforts to enhance South-South cooperation at Boao Forum

China's green transition endeavor contributes to the global fight against climate change and inspires other countries to move towards renewable energy, said Andrew Forrest, executive chairman and founder of Australian mining giant Fortescue, at the plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2026 on Thursday in Boao, south China's Hainan Province.

Running from Tuesday to Friday, this year's conference is themed "Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation."

While addressing the plenary, Forrest, also a member of the BFA board of directors, said China's pursuit of zero-carbon growth signals the nation takes environmental and economic wellbeing into consideration, and Australia has enhanced cooperation with China on sustainable development.

"China is going green because it understands what is happening with climate change, but also because economically it makes huge sense for China. And so I congratulate all those nations and I see them in front of me who are going to new energy, going to new materials, going to new green steel, as Australia is working hard to do with China, with huge partnerships in the making," he said.

During his speech, Forrest called on countries to join China in shifting to clean energy sources for the benefit of their own people and others around the world.

"So I ask all of us now take the lead of China, which is acting in the best interest of each of its people, to lower the cost of living and increase the standard of living. And let us all humanity move to green energy," he said.

Founded in 2001, the BFA is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals.

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