UN Country Team holds regional consultations for new Cooperation Framework

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Sierra Leone, led by UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Seraphine Wakana, has initiated the development of the next UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2025-2030. This framework aligns with Sierra Leone's Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024-2030) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UN system in Sierra Leone focuses on supporting the country's sustainable development, particularly through the implementation of the Medium-Term National Development Plan and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Cooperation Framework enables UN agencies, funds, and programs to provide policy advice, capacity development, technical cooperation, and program support across various sectors.

Regional stakeholder consultations were held in preparation for the new Cooperation Framework. The first occurred in Makeni on January 31, 2024, involving participants from the Northwest and East regions, including local council representatives. Subsequent consultations were held in Bo and Freetown, bringing together stakeholders from various districts and national-level representatives. These consultations aimed to identify community challenges and recommend development priorities for the new plan.

Ms. Wakana emphasized the importance of these consultations, highlighting the UN's commitment to inclusivity and the need to address the needs of all citizens. She stressed that the new framework should be a dynamic document reflecting shared aspirations and guiding sustainable development efforts.

She also acknowledged the financial pressures facing Sierra Leone due to global economic conditions and geopolitical risks, underscoring the necessity of sustainable development interventions.

The next step in the framework's design process is the Theory of Change Workshop, which will outline how specific interventions are expected to lead to desired development outcomes based on evidence.