Environment Minister Delivers A Speech At The Unea5.2 In Nairobi

25 The Minister of Environment of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Prof. Foday M. Jaward led the delegation from Freetown at the resumed Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) being held at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya from 28th February to 2nd March 2022. UNEA 5.2 successfully brought together representatives of United Nations (UN) member states and stakeholders including civil society organizations, NGOs and businesses as they addressed a range of environmental issues and discussed a number of resolutions including the adoption to rapturous applause of the global agreement on plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument” proposed by Rwanda and Peru with a number of co-sponsors.

While delivering his speech on 28th March, 2022, the Minister conveyed President Bio’s greetings to the Government and the People of the Republic of Kenya and UNEP for their hospitality, commitment to environmental issues and for hosting such an important conference. He further noted that Sierra Leone’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans have been reviewed in recent years.

The Minister further stated that “Sierra Leone embraces development partner initiatives that promote a synergistic approach to knowledge exchange, technology transfer and capacity building”, whilst urging UNEP to facilitate the ongoing conversations among governments, environmentalists and NGOs to hasten the implementation of the requisite recommendations. Leading the delegation was Madam Isatu Aminata Bundu, High Commissioner to Kenya and Permanent Representative to UNEP. Also present were Dr. Bondi Gevao, Executive Chairman of the Environment Protection Agency of Sierra Leone, Mr. Lahai Samba Keita, Ag. Director of Environment, Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Mrs. Amie Buck, First Secretary at the High Commission. ENVIRONMENT MINISTER DELIVERS A SPEECH AT THE UNEA5.2 IN NAIROBI