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Sierra Leone and Liberia have reinforced their regional partnership through a three-day South-South Learning Exchange, which brought together top officials from both countries’ environmental agencies.
The event, held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, focused on collective efforts to combat deforestation, climate change, and coastal erosion as part of broader strategies to tackle environmental threats.
Sheku Mark Kanneh, Chief Director of Sierra Leone’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), emphasized the importance of collaboration between developing nations.
“This learning exchange represents a platform for countries like ours to share experiences and coordinate effective responses,” Kanneh noted.
He highlighted the nations’ long-standing cooperation, citing joint initiatives such as the Upper Guinean Forest Conservation Project.
Kanneh confirmed that the exchange produced key outcomes, including a decision to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), identify priority areas for collaboration, and establish continuous dialogue to address shared environmental concerns.
“We are grateful to our Liberian counterparts for their continued dedication to regional cooperation,” he added.
Echoing this sentiment, Anthony S. Kollie, Acting Deputy Executive Director of EPA Liberia, who led the Liberian delegation, praised the initiative for showcasing a unified resolve to confront regional environmental and climate-related challenges. He noted that discussions covered climate adaptation, land management, and the implementation of global environmental agreements.
Kollie further announced plans to formally sign the MOU at the upcoming COP30 Conference in Belém, Brazil, describing it as a symbol of both countries’ commitment to African-led environmental leadership.
“This agreement will solidify our partnership and reflect our shared belief in innovation and collaboration,” he said.
“By working together, we can turn the threats posed by climate change into opportunities for sustainable development and regional resilience.”
