Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio is set to play a prominent role in two critical United Nations events, aimed at addressing global challenges related to food systems and human capital development.

As a Special Guest of the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, President Bio will be attending the Food Systems Stocktaking Moment in Rome, Italy. This event marks the first global follow-up to the 2021 Food Systems Summit, held during the UN General Assembly, which aimed to transform food systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The meeting, scheduled for 24 July 2023, will be hosted at the premises of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and will gather key stakeholders, including world leaders, to accelerate action towards more sustainable, productive, and inclusive global food systems. Transforming these systems is seen as crucial for addressing environmental concerns, tackling climate change, and improving nutrition and food security worldwide.

Following the UN Food Systems Summit, President Bio will proceed to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, to attend the Africa Human Capital Heads of State Summit. The event, themed “Accelerating Africa’s Economic Growth: Boosting Youth Productivity by Improving Learning and Skills,” will take place on 25 and 26 July 2023. During the summit, leaders from across the continent will focus on tangible financial and policy commitments to prioritize investments in people as a fundamental driver of productivity, resilience, and growth.

President Bio expressed his enthusiasm about these crucial events in a recent Twitter post, where he highlighted the importance of these summits for Sierra Leone.

He emphasized how the country’s flagship national development initiative, “FEED SALONE,” aims to boost agricultural productivity to ensure food security and inclusive economic growth.

During President Bio’s absence, Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh will act in accordance with the constitutional procedures.