FAO Sierra Leone increases coordination with national priority programs to achieve the Agenda 2030
Freetown – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concluded today a national consultative review of its Priority Programme for 2022 and 2023. Stakeholders from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Ministry of Environment, Environmental Protection Agency Sierra Leone (EPA_SL), Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) and the Nutrition Directorate of Ministry of Health (MoH) were invited to a one-day workshop to identify priority areas, thus to align their priority programs to the FAO the Strategic Framework and better support Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security, and Climate Resilience in Sierra Leone. This consultative review informs on how to achieve sustainable development of Sierra Leone in pursuit of the Agenda 2030.
Mr. Harding Wuyango, FAO Representative for Programmes, presented the objective of the meeting stating that “global threats to the sector require a collaborative effort to act immediately in safeguarding rural livelihoods. It is crucial to work in transforming agri-food systems to develop a future-proof and sustainable outcome in line with the agenda 2030."
Acting FAO Representative, Dr. Germain Bobo, thanked stakeholders for their valuable contributions, declaring that all inputs would be considered and forwarded to FAO regional and HQ offices for the review of the Priority Programmatic framework for 2022 and 2023. He further added that “together, we can support sustainable agriculture and build the resilience of communities in Sierra Leone.”
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031 in the context of major global and regional challenges
The development of the FAO Strategic Framework has been a transparent consultation process, including sessions with stakeholders at all levels. The Strategic Framework puts at its centre the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life - the four betters - leaving no one behind.
The Framework is anchored in the 2030 Agenda and guided by SDG 1 No poverty, SDG 2 No hunger, and SDG 10 Reducing inequalities. Given their interconnectivity, the Framework also highlights the importance of all SDGs in achieving FAO’s overall vision.
The development of this Strategic Framework took place during a period of unprecedented challenges driven by the COVID-19 pandemic - a global crisis, which highlighted the critical mandate of FAO to ensure functioning and sustainable agri-food systems that allow for sufficient production and consumption of food. It has also been a period of increased efficiency, as well as breaking down silos, removing administrative layers and innovating work processes.
Recommendations issued of the prioritisation and coordination workshop
During the restitution of the sessions, the group participants presented their inputs for the Sierra Leone Programme Priorities, focusing on five areas: 1. Make nutritious foods safe, available and accessible 2. Smart policies, institutions and investments for agri-food systems transformation 3. Ecosystem Restoration and sustainable land management 4. The resilience of livelihoods and agri-food systems to natural and self-induced shocks, and 5. Fisheries and aquaculture systems.
Find out more on:
- FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031 : https://www.fao.org/3/ne577en/ne577en.pdf
For more information, please contact:
Uzman Unis Bah
Communication Specialist
FAO Sierra Leone
Email:[email protected]