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On November 30, 2024, the Global Network Seminar was held online, and the seminar welcomed Ms. Yuki Haramoto, Humanitarian Project Officer at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri Lanka.

Under the theme “The Role of the UN in Promoting SDGs: Case of UNFPA Sri Lanka,” Ms. Haramoto discussed the role of the United Nations in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), drawing on her professional experience at UNFPA Sri Lanka.

Ms. Haramoto began by providing an overview of the United Nations’ role in advancing the SDGs. She then shared an in-depth overview of UNFPA’s initiatives in Sri Lanka, particularly its work in sexual and reproductive health (SRH), gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, and data generation under the 10th Country Programme (2023–2027). She elaborated on how UNFPA provides technical support for gender equality and women’s empowerment by strengthening the capacities of health facilities and community centers to deliver SRH services. Furthermore, she highlighted the organization’s efforts to enhance multisectoral coordination between health and protection systems, ensuring the safety of women and girls and enabling an uninterrupted GBV response at divisional and district levels in Sri Lanka.

Among the key outputs of her project, Ms. Haramoto emphasized critical interventions such as augmenting the availability of essential medicines and equipment, refurbishing health facilities in underserved areas, championing midwives, and setting up safe spaces for GBV survivors. UNFPA Sri Lanka has also been instrumental in enabling women’s health in workplaces, improving public transport for women, mainstreaming gender considerations in public governance, and fostering social cohesion and climate change resilience. These efforts collectively aim to empower women and youth to take active societal roles.

Ms. Haramoto also shared her motivation for working with international organizations, drawing upon her eight years of experience at Deloitte, a global professional services firm specializing in consulting, audit, tax, and advisory services. She explained how her private sector background equipped her with valuable skills, including project management, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement, which transitioned into the development sector and enhanced her ability to contribute to development initiatives. She also shared practical insights into how experience and expertise gained in the private sector can be applied to work in international development.

Following the lecture, a lively question-and-answer session was held with online participants. Ms. Haramoto thoughtfully responded to a wide range of questions based on her professional experience and provided advice to students aspiring to pursue careers in international organizations. The seminar provided a valuable opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the role of UN agencies in advancing the SDGs through UNFPA’s concrete initiatives in Sri Lanka, while also reflecting on career development in international organizations.