Stakeholders and partners of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security (PI-CREF) have overwhelmingly validated the initiative’s Strategic Plan 2024-2030 following a one-day workshop held at Freetown City Council in support of a “Climate Resilient Economic Growth.”

Peter Kaindaneh, the Chief Technical Officer, in his welcoming remarks maintained that, the new strategy offers a roadmap for building a climate-resilient economy, sustainable agriculture, and transforming food and nutrition systems over the next six years.

They maintained that, the strategy was informed by extensive consultations with diverse partners and stakeholders and years of global, regional, and national experience, identifies the interconnected and mutually reinforcing priorities of climate change, renewable energy, and food security.

The Chairman PI-CREF Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman noted that, these priorities will play a pivotal role in Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development going forward, maintaining that they are poised to scale up efforts to guide and coordinate critical initiatives to mitigate climate change impacts, catalyze access to affordable, reliable, sustainable energy, and improve food and nutrition security. The strategy also leverages support for related MDAs to develop, manage, coordinate, and align public policy and national development efforts.

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The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba Lamina, warmly supported the new strategic plan because of its direct impact on the people and pledging his Ministry’s full support and looking forward to PI-CREF’s continuing coordinating role in the Financing Locally Led Climate Action Program (FLLoCA).

He added that the PI-CREF’s strategic plan is the way to go, especially on climate issues such as climate finance and resource mobilization for which they have decided to support and to ensure success throughout t the program.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), Andrew Sorie, Permanent Secretary, underscored the unwavering relationship between his Ministry and PI-CREF. He recognized the critical role undertaken by PI-CREF in developing and implementing the Feed Salone strategy, noting it is “the right way to go.”

Mimi Sobba-Stevens, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), affirmed their Ministry’s resolute support for efforts to achieve sustainable development. “We safeguard natural resources, biodiversity, forests, wildlife, and water bodies,” she said, endorsing the strategic plan.

Sobba-Stevens described PI-CREF as “a worthy partner” and emphasized their Ministry’s pride in supporting and working together on the plan’s implementation.

“The strategic coordination role outlined in the document is one that we are pleased with,” said Sellu McCathy, Director of Climate Finance. Climate finance is critical in addressing climate change to help communities build resilience and adapt to its impacts.

Joseph Samah, Assistant Director for Planning, in remarks delivered on behalf of Kenyeh Barlay, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, said, “As a planning ministry, we followed the preparation of this strategy. The process was inclusive and consultative, and the strategy strongly aligns with the Medium-Term National Development Plan.”

The plan also benefited from the insights of the development partners including the European Union Delegation, the Irish and German Embassies, civil society organizations among others.

The strategy outlines PI-CREF’s key roles and responsibilities, including facilitating policy coherence and coordination, mobilizing international partnerships and resources, providing representation and advocacy, and offering technical and implementation support to relevant MDAs. It details operational levers enabling effective collaboration with MDAs to realize success.

Both stakeholders and partners agree that the strategy is ambitious yet realistically grounded in the initiative’s comparative advantage, unique mandate, and position within the executive office of the president. PI-CREF is poised to invigorate and scale up engagement on climate change, renewable energy, and food security for the benefit of all.