2020 UN COUNTRY ANNUAL RESULTS REPORT SIERRA LEONE

Foreword from the UN Resident Coordinator

On behalf of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Sierra Leone, I am pleased to present to you the 2020 UN Country Annual Results Report on the progress made during the first implementation year of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSCDF) 2020-2023. The report shows the good progress we have made on the four results areas of the UNSDCF, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UNSDCF is our roadmap towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Sierra Leone and it is aligned with Sierra Leone’s development priorities set out in the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2019-2023. This report is, therefore, a collective effort by the UN system in Sierra Leone, comprising of 21 UN agencies to ensure that no one is left behind while delivering as One UN.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) for its commitment towards the SDGs and the alignment of the national development efforts with Agenda 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Human capital development, the heart of the MTNDP, fully aligns with the SDGs. GoSL’s extensive collaboration and support to implement the strategic priorities set out in the UNSDCF made it possible for us to deliver 83 percent of our activities, despite the impact of COVID-19 on our socio-economic and political environment. On behalf of the Government, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development continues to support the UN family in Sierra Leone and co-chairs the Joint Steering Committee of the UNSDCF.

I appreciate our development partners for the strengthened relationships that have resulted in a significant increase in overall funding and a diversified funding base. Contributions to UN Sierra Leone particularly towards the attainment of SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger) and 3 (Good Health and Well-being) especially during the COVID-19 pandemic has not waned. This was demonstrated with the support the UNCT received for the implementation of the UNSDCF, the UN COVID-19 Socio-economic Response Plan, and the Sierra Leone Humanitarian Response Plan. Continued support from development partners, particularly on activities directed to the most vulnerable groups—women and girls, children, and persons with disability is commended.

Finally, I wish to note the UN’s growing engagement with civil society in Sierra Leone as evidenced in the development of the 2020 update to the Common Country Analysis, the socio-economic impact assessments of COVID-19, and active participation in the COVID-19 responses. CSOs’ in-depth and granular understanding of the context of Sierra Leone has helped the UNCT with nuanced insights on emerging issues on the ground.

Babatunde A. Ahonsi

United Nations Resident Coordinator Sierra Leone