President Bio receives UN Resident Coordinator at State House.

In her first meeting with President Julius Maada Bio at State House today, UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) Seraphine Wakana indicated to him that the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) will focus on the Government's Big 5 game changers as it prepares its next United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework to be implemented from 2025 to 2030.

The Big 5 game changers aim to accelerate economic growth and build resilience. They include Feed Salone, Human Capital Development, Youth Employment, Revamping the Public Service Architecture, and Tech and Infrastructure.

According to President Bio, these strategic priorities have been embedded in the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024-2030) that will soon be launched.

The UNRC expressed gratitude to H.E the President for accepting her appointment by the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to serve in Sierra Leone and that, during her one month in the country, she has already met with government officials, including the Chief Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Minister of Planning and Development, and these engagements have been productive.

Madam Wakana also congratulated Sierra Leone on its election to the UN Security Council (2024-2025) as a non-permanent member and looks forward to a productive tenure in advancing peace and security in the region and the globe. "The UNCT is available to support the country's tenure," she said.

She used the courtesy call, also attended by the Chief Minister and the Chief of Staff, to express condolences to the Government for the security personnel who lost their lives on November 26.

She also briefed the President on the Cross-Party Elections Review Committee's work, which she co-chairs with a representative from the government and one from the opposition All People’s Congress (APC).

In his response, President Bio said he was happy to have Ms Wakana in Sierra Leone serve as UNRC, and he referred to the long-standing relationship between the UN and Sierra Leone since the country became a member of the organization.

The President assured the UNRC of his government’s support and cooperation on all matters of peacebuilding and development.

President Bio said his government was dealing with a range of issues, including the current security situation, in addition to the 5 Big game changers to stimulate economic growth as his priority.  

He called for partnership in addressing issues around the economy, food security, nutrition, and employment through the Feed Salone agenda.

President Bio also said his government was fully committed to addressing electoral reforms and that Sierra Leone's unique experience of settling its problem after a protracted civil war in the early 90s is what it hopes to take to the Security Council.