Sierra Leone’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay on the 4th March 2024 championed Sierra Leone’s development vision at UNDP 2024 Annual Work Plan Ceremony.

Addressing the Joint Board Meeting and signing ceremony, Minister Barlay expressed gratitude to the UNDP for hosting such a significant event, particularly amidst global challenges. She praised the UNDP’s longstanding commitment to development cooperation, noting its positive impact on the global stage over the years.

Highlighting the collaborative efforts between the UNDP technical team and government sector experts, Minister Barlay commended the meticulous crafting of the 2024 UNDP Annual Work Plan, aligning it with Sierra Leone’s national aspirations. She emphasized the plan’s inclusive development process, reflecting the consultative approach of Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024-2030.

Minister Barlay underscored the plan’s timely implementation in line with Sierra Leone’s vision of becoming an inclusive and green middle-income nation by 2039. She acknowledged the incorporation of the Big Five Game Changers and their enablers into the work plan by the UNDP Country team, highlighting its alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Sierra Leone’s SDGs Acceleration Roadmap.

Emphasizing the importance of a robust implementation framework with clear monitoring and reporting mechanisms, Minister Barlay reiterated the need for efficient resource utilization to achieve development goals effectively.

She thanked and appreciated all participating members for their efforts and ideologies put together in making sure that the 2024 development work plan becomes a success.