SIERRA LEONE PLAYS IT'S PART AT UN OCEAN'S CONFERANCE
As the world gathers at the United Nations for the Oceans Conference, Sierra Leone is represented by Minister of State, Mr Mohamed Gibril Sesay, Ambassador Felix A Koroma [Deputy Executive Director, Sierra Leone Maritime administration]. The four day Ocean Conference is focused on SDG (sustainable development goal) 14 - Life under Water and agreeing commitments for:
a regional approach to sustainable fisheries in West Africa
protecting, conserving & restoring marine & coastal ecosystems by increasing coverage of marine protected areas & enhancing integrated coastal management;
combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing
reducing plastic waste and microplastics entering oceans and our food chain
Minimizing and addressing ocean acidification.
Supporting the Sierra Leone delegation are Mr Alphious Cole [Principal Policy Analyst, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation], Mr Joseph L.M. Goakai and Councillor Alan George.
Minister Mohamed Gibril Sesay is expected to make a statement on World Oceans Day.
Meanwhile, exciting news from the conferance as The President of the Republic of Gabon, His Excellency Ali Bongo Ondimba, announced the creation of 20 marine protected areas during his speech at the headquarters of the United Nations. Gabon, with a network of 13 national parks, and more than 800 kilometres of coastline, Gabon – more than 90% of which is covered with forest – will see a significant acceleration of its sustainable development policy
Sierra Leone, are our coastline, our deep forests, our mountains not just as beautiful as Gabon? More beautiful surely? Then surely they deserve the same protection and would yield the same benefit - a significant acceleration of our own sustainable development and creation of green jobs.
Samuel Esso Tarawalie, Alfred Fornah
