President Julius Maada Bio, in his capacity as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority, is set to preside over a landmark open debate at the United Nations Security Council on Monday, 17 November 2025.
The high-level session will focus on Threats to International Peace and Security: Conflict-Related Food Insecurity, a topic increasingly recognised as both a catalyst for violence and a devastating consequence of armed conflict worldwide.
The event stands as the flagship initiative of Sierra Leone’s presidency of the Security Council for the month of November, highlighting the country’s growing leadership on global peace, humanitarian concerns, and multilateral cooperation.
President Bio is expected to lead discussions that will examine the complex relationship between conflict, hunger, and instability, while urging coordinated global action to address rising food insecurity in conflict-affected regions.
According to the Council’s agenda, the debate will delve into how warring parties continue to use starvation as a tactic of war, despite international laws prohibiting such practices, and will explore strategies to strengthen accountability for violations. Delegates will also discuss long-term solutions aimed at building resilience in vulnerable communities, including investment in agriculture, support for rural economies, and improved protection of humanitarian supply chains.
The session will bring together UN member states, regional bodies, humanitarian agencies, and global experts, all contributing perspectives on how to prevent hunger from escalating into broader security crises.
Sierra Leone’s leadership on the issue is expected to underscore the country’s own experience with post-conflict recovery and food-system strengthening, positioning it as an advocate for sustainable solutions within the UN system.
Event Details
Date: Monday, 17 November 2025
Venue: United Nations Security Council Chamber, New York
Time: 10:00 AM (New York) | 3:00 PM (Sierra Leone)
The proceedings will be broadcast live on UN WebTV, as well as on SLBC TV, AYV TV, and other digital platforms across Sierra Leone, providing the public with an opportunity to follow this significant diplomatic engagement in real time.
