According to recent reports published by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Sri Lanka’s SMEs comprise more than 75% of enterprises, accounting for 52% of the GDP. They employ nearly 45% of the country’s workforce and contribute 20% to exports, making them a key element in the country's growth. However, the adverse effects of climate change have the potential to significantly slow down progress. With the escalating frequency and severity of disasters, businesses and communities across all sectors face unprecedented risks.

This group discussion is a part of the project “Multi-actor partnership on climate and disaster risk management and finance” aimed to create awareness and build capacities on the local and national level; generate evidence and knowledge; and develop a multi-actor partnership on CDRFI in Sri Lanka. This session is designed to identify climate change preparedness among entrepreneurs across food systems, tourism, fashion and garment sectors and map the vulnerabilities, including environmental impact, resource management, and stakeholder engagement, faced as a community contributing to the development of a comprehensive risk map in the sector. Additionally, it serves as an enabler, facilitating knowledge and technology transfer and collaborations to enhance resilience in the sector.

• Assess and analyze the current level of preparedness among entrepreneurs across sectors regarding climate change impacts and risks.
• Provide sustainability principles and best practices for ethical, sustainable, and climate-friendly businesses that can be seamlessly integrated into the participants' businesses.
• Building capacities and expertise through collective engagement for stakeholders and exchange of information.