By Politico staff writer
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Environment, Prof. Foday M. Jaward has explained the efforts made by the government of Sierra Leone to deal with the many environmental issues confronting the country and the world at large.
The Minister was speaking at the resumed Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) being held at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya from 28th February to 2nd March 2022. The theme for the Assembly is, “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”.
Prof. Jaward noted the establishment of a standalone ‘Ministry of the Environment in November 2019 to supervise all government departments and institutions with an Environmental mandate that were in silos as part of the moves made by the government.
“This amalgamation has enhanced the crosscutting of policies that are crucial for mainstreaming environmental governance into National Development Planning,” he said.
The Minister also stated, “Decades-old legislations including a 50-year-old Wildlife Act have been recently amended and enacted by Parliament.” He further noted that the country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans have been reviewed in the last two years.
While discussing the dangers of plastic exposure to the environment, the Minister maintained that “ plastic and plastic waste management continue to pose an environmental hazard in Sierra Leone.”
He stated that “Sierra Leone embraces development partner initiatives that promote a synergy that knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and capacity building”, whilst urging UNEP to facilitate the ongoing conversations among governments, environmentalists, and NGOs to hasten the implementation of the requisite recommendations.
As reported in September 2018- “Our World in Data on Plastics”, Sierra Leone produced 96,655 tons of plastic waste in 2010. 84% of this contributes 0.1% of the global share of mismanaged plastic waste. The Minister, on behalf of the government of Sierra Leone, pledged support to Rwanda and Peru’s draft resolution on Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution.
UNEA 5.2 is swiftly followed by the Special Session on UNEP@50 from 3rd to 4th March. The session is to be convened by President Uhuru Kenyatta, of the Republic of Kenya, with attendance by heads of state. Prof. Jaward will represent President Bio.
UNEA 5.2 brought together representatives of United Nations (UN) member states and stakeholders including civil society organisations, NGOs, and businesses as they addressed a range of environmental issues and discussed a number of resolutions including the adoption to the rapturous applause of the global agreement on plastic pollution “End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument” proposed by Rwanda and Peru with a number of co-sponsors.
Among the delegation is Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya and Permanent Representative to UNEP, Madam Isatu Aminata Bundu, and Dr. Bondi Gevao, Executive Chairman of the Environment Protection Agency in Sierra Leone.
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