Future Policy Award 2021: Sri Lanka wins special accolade for pesticide control, suicide prevention

Sri Lanka has been awarded a special accolade at Future Policy Award 2021, in recognition of the policies and laws adopted to regulate highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) and to reduce the suicide rate in the country.

The World Future Council (WFC)-backed awards, often referred to as the ‘Oscar on Best Polices,’ celebrates the most effective policy solutions that minimise the adverse effects of exposure to chemicals on human health and the environment.

Awarded by the Germany-based independent body, the prize is organised this year in partnership with the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP), the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and with the support of the Michael Otto Foundation and the Jua Foundation.

Among 55 nominated policies from 36 countries, Sweden and Kyrgyzstan have been chosen for the Golden Awards. Meanwhile, the Philippines and Colombia were picked for the Special Awards along with Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, Sri Lanka’s Control of Pesticides Act No. 33 (1980, amended in 1994, 2011, 2020) and National Policy and Action Plan on Prevention of Suicide (1997) are now among the most inspiring and impactful laws and policies recognized by the WFC.

On the island nation’s achievement, the WFC said: “Sri Lanka had one of the world’s highest suicide rates, and pesticide poisoning accounted for more than two thirds of all cases. The Pesticides Act has ensured that only least hazardous pesticides are available. It has been used to ban a total of 36 HHPs.”

The council noted that Sri Lanka’s pesticide regulations have contributed to one of the greatest decreases in suicide rates ever achieved in the world. “The country’s suicide rate has been reduced by 70 percent, particularly in rural villages and among children and youth.”

The WFC further stated: “The bans saved about 93,000 lives over 20 years at a direct government cost of less than USD 50 per life. Whilst at the same time, Sri Lanka has maintained its agricultural productivity. Internationally, the Sri Lankan experience recommends the banning of HHPs as one of the most cost-effective approaches for suicide prevention.”

Speaking in this regard, WFC’s Executive Director Alexandra Wandel remarked, “Every day our rights are violated by the exposure to toxic chemicals and pollution. Especially children are disproportionally affected.”

“For the sake of current and future generations, it is absolutely critical that stakeholders make the protection from hazardous chemicals a priority. We are very much looking forward to bring effective policies in this field to a world stage,” Wandel added.

On July 06, 2021, the winning policies of the Future Policy Award 2021 will be celebrated with a high-level, virtual Award Ceremony. Subsequently, the winners will be honoured at the Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability on July 08, 2021.

The World Future Council has awarded this annual prize since 2010, in partnership with UN agencies and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).