Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) Dr. Robin Geiss visited the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) on 24th April, 2025.
The Director General of the BIDTI Pamela J. Deen briefed him of the activities of the Institute highlighting disarmament as a key area of its curriculum. She apprised him that a number of Sri Lankan diplomats who were recipients of UN Disarmament Fellowships had contributed to the global disarmament activities. Further, she recalled efforts of Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala who served as the Director of the UNIDIR from 1987 to 1992 and the UN Under Secretary General of Disarmament Affairs from 1998 to 2003.
They discussed the possible collaboration between the BIDTI and the UNIDIR to create awareness in the field of disarmament and peacebuilding. In this connection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism has proposed to enter into a MoU between the two Institutes.
While Ms. Fanny Sebban, Associate Political Affairs Officer of the UNIDIR accompanied Dr Geiss and Ms. Dinushi Rupathunga of the UN & HR Division of the Ministry attended the meeting.