By Foday Moriba Conteh
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has on September 12, 2023 departed for the United States of America to participate in the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The President’s attendance will mark a significant moment as Sierra Leone joins the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member with greater level of responsibility
With the theme, “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability for All,” President Bio is set to actively engage with fellow Heads of State, Government officials, representatives of International Financial Institutions, Philanthropic Organizations, and the media.
During this international gathering, it is expected that President Julius Maada Bio will showcase Sierra Leone’s remarkable progress in development and articulate his Government’s vision for sustainable transformation over the next five years.
He will also establish crucial connections with key stakeholders ahead of Sierra Leone’s tenure as a Non-Permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2024-2025.
Sierra Leone is poised to assume the UN Security Council Presidency in August 2024, a significant return to the Council in that category after 53 years, signifying global recognition of the small West African nation.
Sierra Leone joins the ranks of Algeria, Guyana, Republic of Korea, and Slovenia as part of the premier international body responsible for maintaining global peace and security.
President Bio’s prominent speaking engagements at UNGA78 will include participation in the high-level observance of the fourth International Day to Protect Education from Attack, co-organized by UNESCO, the state of Qatar, Education Above All Foundation, UNICEF, and the United Nations Department of Global Communications.
He will also deliver a national address during the general debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, participate in the SDG summit acceleration day, focusing on transforming education in his role as co-chair of the high-level steering committee for Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4).
Additionally, President Julius Maada Bio will partake in the high-level political forum on sustainable development in his capacity as chair of the group of seven plus (g7+) countries.
President Julius Maada Bio is renowned for his role as the Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government (C-10) on the reform of the United Nations Security Council. He has also achieved a historic feat, successfully pushing for a UN resolution on sexual violence survivors in 2021. This marked the first time in the history of the United Nations General Assembly that the issue of sexual violence survivors was included on the agenda.
