Her Excellency the Prime Minister of Uganda, Distinguished Heads and Representatives of State, Secretary General of Gulf Corporation Council, the President ECAM Council Mr. Kamel Ghribi, and Honorable Members of the Council, and Esteemed Participants,

  1. I stand before you today, representing the President of Sierra Leone and as a global citizen, aware of the interconnectedness of our shared future, and our shared responsibilities to our planet. We are gathered here, united by a theme that forms the very bedrock of human existence and sustainable development – ‘Driving Change Today for a Prosperous Planet Tomorrow’ with a focus on ‘Food Security and Sustainable Healthcare’. The foundational pillars of a thriving society and a sustainable world.
  2. Thank you to ECAM for this relevant and timely convening.
  3. I speak from the heart of West Africa, Sierra Leone, a nation of extraordinary beauty and resilience, a nation that encapsulates the interplay of challenges and opportunities we discuss today.

Sierra Leone, like many nations around the world, has weathered the storms of political, economic and social instability, and conflicts. These trials have shaped our landscape and our people, impacting our economic stability and the wellbeing of our citizens. But, from these challenges, we rise, committed to creating lasting change.

  1. Food security, the cornerstone of a stable society, is a primary concern for us. Agriculture forms the lifeblood of our economy, and our people, particularly those in rural areas who depend on it for their livelihood. However, to secure a future where no citizen goes to bed hungry, mere subsistence farming will not suffice. We need to propel our agricultural sector into a new era, an era of technology, innovation, and sustainability. This involves adopting modern farming techniques such as precision agriculture, investing in rural infrastructure, ensuring access to markets, and equipping our farmers with the necessary skills and financial support to thrive in the changing landscape. Cognizant of this, H.E President Bio’s government has pledged to prioritize agriculture, making it the flagship program of his tenure.
  2. Our journey towards sustainable healthcare is laden with similar complexities. We are all too aware of the hardships our healthcare system faces. With insufficient infrastructure and resources, diseases that could be prevented claim too many lives. Our mission is to change this narrative by strengthening our healthcare system, prioritizing primary healthcare, focusing on disease prevention, and enhancing health education. With the advent of technology, we see unprecedented opportunities to bridge the healthcare gap. Telemedicine, mobile health applications, and digital health records can enable us to deliver quality healthcare services to even the most remote corners of our country. We are on the journey already with significant reductions in Maternal mortality in recent years.
  3. However, these initiatives cannot, and should not, stand alone. Change of the magnitude we desire requires global collaboration that goes beyond geographic, political, and cultural borders. It demands robust partnerships among governments, international organizations, NGOs, and the driving forces of local communities. An inclusive dialogue must ensure the participation of our farmers, healthcare workers, women, youth, and marginalized communities. Their voices and experiences are invaluable in shaping policies and programs that affect their lives directly.
  4. Moreover, we must acknowledge the intrinsic relationship between environmental conservation and sustainable development. Sierra Leone, blessed with diverse ecosystems and bountiful natural resources, stands vulnerable to the onslaught of climate change. Therefore, the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, active reforestation efforts, and the expansion of renewable energy initiatives are not just desirable, but vital for our survival. (Zolpidem)
  5. Our task is monumental, our journey arduous, but our resolve is unshaken. We envision a future where modern agricultural techniques coexist with robust healthcare systems, where partnerships fuel progress, and where sustainable practices preserve our planet for future generations. We aspire to create a world where hunger is an anomaly, quality healthcare is assured, and sustainability is the norm.
  6. As we forge ahead, let us remember a proverb that resonates deeply with our mission today: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. Our goal is not to merely make quick fixes, but to bring about lasting change. To that end, we must choose to go far, standing shoulder to shoulder, each nation lending its strength to the other.
  7. Let us recommit ourselves to this transformative change, for the prosperity of our planet tomorrow hinges on the steps we take today. Let our actions echo louder than our words, and let our collective efforts shape a legacy of hope, resilience, and prosperity for generations to come.
  8. On behalf of H.E President Julius Maada Bio, I kindly invite you to Sierra Leone to come and join us build that shared future we have spoken about. We welcome collaboration in all areas but in particular the Big 5 Game Changers of His Excellency’s agenda.

These are:

  1. FEED SALONE; HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT; YOUTH

EMPLOYMENT; PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM; AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND DIGITIZATION.

  1. President Bio believes that at the heart of such transformation must be young people and women. This is why in his recent cabinet; he appointed 10 young men and women who are under age 40 as Ministers. And more than 30% of all elected Parliamentarians and President Bio’s cabinet are women. As the proud co-champion of SDG 10: reducing Inequalities, President Bio believes that for us to truly have a sustainable world, everyone must be included. And we must show that in action and not just words.
  2. Thank you, see you in Freetown, and God bless us all.