Chief Minister David Sengeh reflects on joining President Bio on a productive international tour

Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, David Sengeh, embarked on his first official trip alongside President Julius Maada Bio, attending key international summits and holding bilateral meetings in Rome and Dar Es Salaam. The tour focused on addressing global food systems and human capital challenges, resulting in numerous fruitful engagements and significant commitments.

Key Highlights of the Trip:

1. UN Food Systems Summit: President Bio delivered a keynote speech on the importance of school meals and discussed plans to expand school feeding programs. Sierra Leone’s technical team held meetings with international organizations such as IFAD, FAO, and WFP to strengthen partnerships for the “Feed Salone” initiative and homegrown school feeding.
2. Meeting with UN Secretary General: A crucial bilateral meeting with the UN Secretary General in Rome resulted in strengthened leadership ties and support for Sierra Leone’s future engagement at the Security Council. President Bio is set to co-host a side meeting on Foundational Learning during the UNGA.
3. WHO’s Commitment: The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed support for Sierra Leone by offering equipment and training for the recently established Public Health Agency. President Bio’s leadership was praised, and the DG promised to visit Sierra Leone.
4. Keynote at ECAM Council: Chief Minister David Sengeh represented President Bio at the ECAM Council, highlighting Sierra Leone’s national vision and commitment through the “Big Five Game Changers.”
5. Heads of State Human Capital Summit: President Bio’s panel on equity and education was a notable event at the Dar Es Salaam summit. His focus on Radical Inclusion and dedication to youth, girls, and women garnered praise.
6. Bilateral Meetings: President Bio engaged in fruitful meetings with various heads of state, including President Ruto of Kenya, strengthening Sierra Leone’s reputation on the continent.
7. World Bank Support: A meeting with the Vice President of the World Bank for Human Capital led to commitments for new IDA allocations, and the VP expressed intentions to visit Sierra Leone to reinforce ties.
8. High-Level Ties with Ethiopia: President Bio met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia to explore cooperation in areas like food security, climate, peace, and the potential extension of Ethiopian Airlines’ services to Sierra Leone.
9. Encouraging Sports Diplomacy: President Bio met with the Sierra Leone National Under-19 Cricket team during their participation in the ICC World Cup qualifiers in Tanzania. His support for cricket in Sierra Leone was lauded by the ICC Africa head.
10. Engagement with Sierra Leonean Communities: President Bio took time to meet with the Sierra Leonean community in both Rome and Dar Es Salaam, engaging with students and professionals and encouraging their involvement in national development.Conclusion: Chief Minister David Sengeh described the trip as hectic but highly productive, building on existing relationships and forging new ones to bring tangible benefits to ordinary citizens. Sierra Leone returns home with strengthened international partnerships and concrete support for its development initiatives.