UN Sierra Leone Weekly Highlights - March 17-21

Res. Coordinator engages Min. of Planning on Salone’s Peacebuilding and Prevention Agenda.

During the week, the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) led a team of UN colleagues, including UNDP’s Resident Representative, Fred Ampiah, and the technical team, in an engagement with the Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Madam Kenyeh Barlay to discuss Sierra Leone’s peacebuilding priorities. The discussion reflected on Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) support, the upcoming UN 4th international conference on Financing for Development and the Power of Data Initiative. The meeting set the pace for collaborative approaches to various processes in these three areas, which were discussed in detail.

At the meeting, the RC commended the progress made by the country on peacebuilding initiatives, emphasizing the UN Country Team's commitment to supporting the government’s efforts towards prevention and sustaining peace. In a similar vein, the RC noted with interest the government’s discussions on financing for development, recalling the UN’s support to

supporting the government in exploring sustainable financing approaches, towards mid-term and long-term development.

On the other hand, the minister underscored the government's commitment to peacebuilding and highlighted the importance of adopting a prevention approach to safeguard the peace gains in the country, further appreciating PBF for the support on the same. The minister also emphasized that stakeholders’ engagement is a crucial to redefining the efforts towards peacebuilding, enhance collaboration and impact. The Minister welcomed the UN’s collaboration, under the leadership of the RC’s office and UNDP, in the engagements related to the UN 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, highlighting that the government is keen on innovative financing for development. Further, the minister noted with keenness the progress made by key stakeholders, including the UN Country Team, in defining interventions around the Power of Data Initiative.

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