Former mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has been invited as a Commissioner for the Global Commission for Urban SDG set to take place in Paris, France. 

“We are launching the Commission in Paris on June 21, 2023 within the framework of the Focus 2030 Conference,” said Jeffery Sachs, President of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

Commissioners will be meeting virtually in 2023 and 2024 to address key issues like climate change and climate financing geared towards the putting up of resilient structures in cities across the globe.

“We are bringing together mayors and climate and finance leaders to develop and propose innovative mechanisms and policy reforms to secure greater access for cities to SDG finance,” Sachs said.

Reacting to the invitation, Aki-Sawyerr said the invitation is an opportunity to collaborate with other mayors and economists to address challenges linked to funds for development for Freetown and other developing cities.

“My participation in international roles has been instrumental in securing funding for Transform Freetown initiatives such as tricycles for youth groups, nurseries in markets, second phase of Freetown the Tree Town and feasibility study for cable car system,” Aki-Sawyerr said.

Aki-Sawyerr is seeking re-election in the 24 June polls which experts believe she could face a tough competition from arch-rival from the Sierra Leone People’s Party, Mohamed Gento Kamara.