UN Agencies Weekly Highlights- May 19-May 23

RCO

RCO convenes three-day UNCT Annual Retreat 2025 at Bintumani Hotel 

The Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) convened the 2025 UN Country Team (UNCT) Annual Retreat on 21 May at the Bintumani Hotel under the theme, “Strategic Repositioning for Impact – Fostering Innovative Partnerships, Enhancing Internal Efficiency, and Promoting Staff Well-being to Accelerate SDG Delivery in Sierra Leone.” The retreat opened at a pivotal moment, as 2025 marks the first year of implementing the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (CF 2025–2030), aligned with the country’s Medium-Term National Development Plan. In her opening remarks, UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Seraphine Wakana underscored the urgency of strategic repositioning in light of shifting development financing and geopolitical realities. 

She emphasised the importance of innovative partnerships, including private sector and South-South cooperation, as key to unlocking sustainable financing streams. Ms. Wakana also reaffirmed the UNCT’s role in strengthening joint programming, improving internal efficiencies, and advancing staff well-being within the broader UN 2.0 and UN80 reform agendas. She called on the UN system to move forward not as isolated entities, but as one UN family, united in purpose, responsive to national priorities, and committed to delivering on the promises made through the Cooperation Framework. 

WFP  

Solar-Powered Cold Storage Set to Transform Lives of Women Farmers in Sierra Leone 
On May 14, 2025, in Newton, Western Area Rural, the Embassy of Japan joined WFP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to launch a solar-powered cold storage facility—the first of its kind in Sierra Leone. The innovation, funded by Japan and implemented by WFP with MAFS, is set to revolutionize post-harvest storage for women vegetable farmers by reducing spoilage and opening new markets.

For years, smallholder women farmers in Koinadugu have struggled with post-harvest losses. Now, with this facility piloted by the Koinadugu Women Vegetable Farmers’ Cooperative, they can store vegetables longer and sell at better prices.

“Before this, we lost almost half of our vegetables,” said Haja Sondu Marah. “Now, we can keep them fresh for days, even weeks.”

WFP’s Yvonne Forsén called it “a step toward economic justice,” while Ambassador Yoshimoto Hiroshi reaffirmed Japan’s support for sustainable development. Deputy Minister Dr. Theresa Tenneh-Dick praised the project for building long-term resilience.

IOM

IOM Sierra Leone Chief Holds High-Level Talks to Strengthen Migration Governance and Partnerships 
This week, Madame Aissata Kane, IOM Sierra Leone Chief of Mission with Coordinating Functions based in Dakar, held high-level bilateral meetings with key partners including the Government of Sierra Leone, the European Union, and the UN Resident Coordinator a.i. Discussions focused on deepening collaboration on migration governance, aligning priorities, and identifying joint initiatives. Meetings with senior officials from the Ministries of Youth and Foreign Affairs reinforced commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to migration management. 

UNDP

UNDP brings solar light to over 2,000 rural households in Sierra Leone 
In a significant stride toward expanding clean energy access, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched the installation of solar lighting systems for 2,183 rural households across six districts in Sierra Leone: Falaba, Kambia, Moyamba, Pujehun, Bonthe, and the Western Area (Rural) Districts. 

Each household will receive a 12-watt solar home system equipped with lighting units and mobile phone charging ports. This initiative aims to improve the quality of life, particularly for women and their families, in communities with limited or no electricity. The systems are expected to enhance household safety, extend study hours for children, and increase productivity for women-led small businesses. 

"This intervention is about more than just light, it's about empowerment, dignity, and opportunity,” said Mr. Fredrick Ampiah, UNDP Resident Representative. “By targeting female-led households, we are advancing gender equality and supporting resilient communities.” 

The solar installations align with UNDP’s broader strategy for inclusive energy access and climate resilience, directly contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). 

Selected communities were chosen based on existing or planned UNDP interventions, enabling the programme to build on established infrastructure and partnerships. This area-based approach ensures more efficient delivery and deeper impact. 

With solar installations underway in Tombo, residents are hopeful, seeing not just light, but new opportunities and a brighter future.