Minister of Environment and Climate Change plans to engage local communities and international stakeholders in 2025 to discuss the outcomes of COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in late 2024. The Ministry aims to raise awareness about climate change and promote dialogue on the solutions and commitments made at the conference.
Lahai Kpaka, Communication Officer for the Ministry, stated that the Minister will hold discussions across Sierra Leone to explain the COP29 outcomes and explore actions communities can take to mitigate climate change. The engagement will also emphasize the importance of global cooperation in tackling the climate crisis.
The climate forum will involve key stakeholders, including local communities, donor partners, and foreign dignitaries, ensuring that local voices are heard in the climate action conversation.
In a related development, on December 6, 2024, British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone Josephine Gauld met with Minister Abdulai Jiwoh to discuss priority areas for climate-related initiatives. Minister Jiwoh emphasized the government’s commitment to securing climate finance and transparency. Both officials highlighted the global threats posed by climate change and discussed its impact on various sectors in Sierra Leone, such as agriculture, health, energy, and water.
The Minister also stressed the importance of accurate climate data to guide the country’s climate strategies. In 2025, a special forum will focus on Sierra Leone’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and the country’s progress toward meeting climate goals.
Key initiatives discussed include advancing carbon trading legislation and a new Climate Change Act, aimed at guiding climate finance and emission reduction efforts. The government is also focused on reforestation, biodiversity conservation, and reducing plastic pollution, with programs like SPACES’ 30×30 focusing on sustainable practices.
The Ministry is considering lifting the suspension on timber transportation, pending the completion of environmental procedures. Minister Jiwoh reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to environmental protection and improving citizens’ livelihoods, with 2025 being a critical year for climate action.
