The Government of Sierra Leone has announced bold and ambitious plans to protect the country’s environment. Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh Abdulai laid out the four part plan at the first ever Forest and Climate Forum conference held in Freetown.
The plan is part of a broader vision under the Protect Sierra Leone program. The plan has detail elements like to; Protect the most critical terrestrial biodiversity through integrated landscape, Scale up community forests, Sustainably manage the country’s marine resources and Reduce deforestation.
“We want to protect it (environment) because it is in our best interest. Protection of natural resources is vital for our survival,” Minister Abdulai said.
On the problem of deforestation, he said: “We have to address the underlying need for deforestation, which is cooking fuel. We need to bring affordable alternatives.”
The conference is the most high profile and inclusive conference to be held on environment in the country for decades. It brought together stakeholders from the communities, government, activists and international players in the space like, Conservation International.
Executive Vice President of Conservation International, Daniela Raik said the group supports Sierra Leone’s ambitious environmental targets, hence their commitment to work with the country much more closely.
“We are here today because we believe in the power of collaboration, innovation and critically, action,” she said. She announced that for the first time, they will be opening a local office in Sierra Leone to work with locals much more closely.
Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh reaffirmed government’s commitment in protecting the environment, while making a positive case for how much government has done so far.
“Our forests are under threat. The future of our forests depends on our ability to manage these resources. The challenges posed by climate change are significant,” Vice President Jalloh said.
As part of actions government is taking, VP Jalloh said Siera Leone is getting ready for Forest Inventory for the first time since 1975. He said the country is also working on a sustainable biodiversity financing framework.
World Bank Country Director, Abdul Muwonge also announced big environmental projects, to support the country’s drive for environmental protection. One of the projects is a $60 million program that will focus on water security at the Western Area Peninsular Park.
Over the next two days, delegates at the conference will break in to key groups to discuss several work streams in achieving the visions that have laid out.
