Post a comment
The Sierra Leone Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) participated in a post-COP debriefs and sector alignment meeting hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change at the Family Kingdom Resort.
The meeting focused on aligning national environmental priorities and strengthening commitments to multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).
During the session, the EPA’s focal points for key international environmental agreements, including the Montreal Protocol, the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity, the Minamata Convention, and the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, highlighted Sierra Leone’s obligations as a party to these conventions. They emphasized the need for the country to adopt and implement the goals set by these MEAs to address global environmental challenges.
Dr. Abu-Bakar Massaquoi, the EPA’s Executive Chairman, outlined the agency’s strategic plans for 2025 and beyond, under the second year of the Environment Protection Agency Transformation Strategy (EPATS). The EPATS, which spans a seven-year period, focuses on three core pillars: addressing the triple planetary crises, strengthening the EPA’s organizational structure, and building staff capacity for excellence.
The key priorities for the 2025 fiscal year include the establishment of a National Pollutant Inventory to tackle pollution, the development of sector-specific environmental regulations, and diversifying the agency’s partner base to mobilize resources. Dr. Massaquoi also highlighted the construction of new office spaces to improve working conditions for staff, as well as the agency’s commitment to fulfilling reporting obligations and enhancing regulatory frameworks.
“The successful implementation of EPATS is crucial in addressing the environmental challenges facing Sierra Leone. Our priorities are closely aligned with sustainable development goals and our national development plans,” Dr. Massaquoi stated. “This collaboration with our supervisory ministry ensures synergy across sectors, contributing to a more sustainable future for Sierra Leone.”
