Minister Barlay Holds Bilateral Talks with UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua
Sia Lucy Kannah The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay, held a bilateral meeting with the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Li Junhua.
The meeting, attended by senior members of the Sierra Leone delegation, focused on strengthening cooperation between the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) in support of the country’s development priorities and UNDESA’s global mandate.
Discussions focused on four key areas of cooperation. These included preparing, packaging and marketing Sierra Leone’s portfolio of bankable projects to potential global investors, as part of the Government’s efforts to mobilise diaspora and private capital.
The meeting also considered the sustainability of the National Financing for Development Conference as an institutionalised platform for implementation, accountability and investment mobilisation, alongside efforts to strengthen Sierra Leone’s Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) and national coordination arrangements for diversified development financing.
The two sides further discussed ongoing collaboration on the development of Chiefdom Development Plans, which provide an important foundation for localised and inclusive planning and the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Li Junhua responded by reaffirming UNDESA’s commitment to strengthening development cooperation with the Sierra Leone Government through the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development. He also commended Sierra Leone’s leadership in advancing the implementation of the INFF and its proactive approach to financing for development.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to sustain engagement on the areas discussed, including efforts to support the implementation of Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024–2030, while advancing broader national and global development priorities.