### 📈 Sustainability & Global Economic Strategy: Sri Lanka Perspective

A recent high-level address by a former Sri Lankan Ambassador highlights the critical intersection of geo-economics and sustainable development as a pathway for national stability. • Global Economic Context Global GDP reached approximately US$ 118 Tn in 2025. The world spends US$ 2.8 Tn annually on defense—nearly 2.5% of global GDP. In contrast, eliminating global poverty would cost roughly US$ 400 Bn (0.33% of global GDP). • Regional Inequality & Comparisons South Asia’s GDP per capita remains under US$ 2,900, significantly lower than the global average of US$ 14,200. The 10-member ASEAN region averages US$ 6,000 per capita. Wealth inequality is at a historic high; the global Gini-Coefficient reached 68% in 2024. • Strategic Risks for Sri Lanka Data indicates a 15-20% likelihood of internal conflict when a developing nation faces a GDP decline of 4-5% for consecutive years. Sri Lanka’s 2022 crisis is cited as a primary example of this geo-economic vulnerability. • The Sustainability Mandate Achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is viewed as vital for ICT/BPM, education, and human capital development. Investing just 1% of global GDP into SDGs could eliminate most challenges faced by developing nations. The transition from the 4th Industrial Revolution (AI/EVs) to the 5th Industrial Revolution (advanced biotechnology) requires robust multilateral cooperation to ensure smaller nations aren't marginalized.