UNGA HLW
Review of Sierra Leone's UNGA 78th High-Level Week Programme
The Republic of Sierra Leone was admitted to the United Nations as its 100th member State on 27 September 1961, following the attainment of independence on 27 April 1961. The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the United Nations is entrusted with the primary responsibility to advance, promote, and protect the best interest of Sierra Leone in the work of the organization and its specialized agencies primarily located in New York, and with member States of the United Nations.
The delegation led by His Excellency President Bio is expected to include the Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh; the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley Esq.; the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby; the Minister of the Environment & Climate Change, Mr. Jiwoh Abdulai; the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Ms Kenyeh Ballay; the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Mr. Conrad Sackey; the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi; the Minister of Communication, Technology & Innovation, Ms. Haja Salimatu Bah; and the Chair of the Presidential Initiative for Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella.
The 78th session of UNGA opens on 5 September 2023. HLW begins on 18 September 2023 and the first day of the General Debate will be Tuesday, 19th September 2023 and ends on 27 September 2023. His Excellency President Bio will deliver the national statement of Sierra Leone in the General Debate on Wednesday, 20 September 2023 in the afternoon (3-9pm) as the 7th speaker, with a projected speaking time starting at 4:30pm.
The General Debate offers for Sierra Leone, an unparallel opportunity to report on His Excellency President Bio’s successful re-election, the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful multi-tier elections to strengthen Sierra Leone’s democratic governance, as well as the priorities for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) tenure, in addition to addressing the theme focused on accelerating action on the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
"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."
Besides the General Debate, there will be high-level meetings either mandated by the General Assembly or convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to be held during the HLW of UNGA78.
The Sustainable Development Goals Summit (2023 SDG Summit) 18-19 September 2023 opens up the HLW. The Summit marks the beginning of a new phase of accelerated progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals with high-level political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions leading up to 2030. Outside of the General Debate, it will be the centrepiece of the HLW as it is intended to respond to the impact of multiple and interlocking crises facing the world and is expected to reignite a sense of hope, optimism, and enthusiasm for the 2030 Agenda.
The next set of high-level meetings are focused on health. The President of the General Assembly will convene three high-level mandated meetings on health, and these include: The United Nations (UN) high-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response to be held 20 September 2023 which presents an opportunity for Member States to further mobilize political momentum, including through the integration of a multisectoral approach towards pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, given the multifaceted consequences of pandemics.
The next health high-level meeting is on Universal Health Coverage to be convened on 21 September 2023, and it presents an opportunity for countries and stakeholders to renew efforts and accelerate progress toward achieving health for all. This will serve as the foundation for executing policies and ensuring responsibility for strengthening health systems for the future, building on the 2019 Political Declaration.
The Second UN high-level meeting on Fight to End Tuberculosis scheduled for 22 September 2023 rounds up the health high-level meetings. This meeting is aimed to undertake a comprehensive review on the achievement of agreed tuberculosis targets 2018 Political Declaration of the first UN General Assembly high level meeting on tuberculosis, and to identify gaps and solutions to accelerate progress towards ending the tuberculosis epidemic by 2030.
The Financing for Development (FfD) high-level dialogue has become a staple of HLW and will be convened on 20 September 2023. The dialogue, inspired by the Ababa Action Agenda (para 132), which calls for it to convene back-to-back with the HLPF’s UNGA-level meeting every four years, will seek to review and monitor the financing and means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
The Climate Ambition Summit 2023 will be convened by the UN Secretary-General on 20 September 2023. The first-ever Climate Ambition Summit will coalesce leaders from government, business, cities, and finance to kick-start new, tangible ideas and plans to combat climate change. The design and outcomes of the Summit will be delivered on three distinct but interrelated acceleration tracks: ambition, credibility, and implementation.
The Preparatory Ministerial Meeting for the Summit of the Future to be convened on 21 September 2023, being convened 1 year before the 2024 Summit of the Future, will conclude the high-level meetings. Given the major global shocks in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, and the triple planetary crisis, among others, which have challenged our international institutions, unity around our shared principles and common goals is both crucial and urgent.
Looking ahead, the Summit of the Future is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance cooperation on critical challenges and address gaps in global governance, reaffirm existing commitments including to the SDGs and the UN Charter, and move towards a reinvigorated multilateral system that is better positioned to positively impact people’s lives. Building on the SDG Summit in 2023, Member States will consider ways to lay the foundations for more effective global cooperation that can deal with today’s challenges as well as new threats in the future. In 2024, an action-oriented Pact for the Future is expected to be endorsed by Heads of State/Government at the Summit, showcasing global solidarity for current and future generations.
Other significant meetings include the High-level Summit of the g7+ convened by the Republic of Sierra Leone as Chair and Timor Leste, the host country of the headquarters of g7+.
His Excellency President Bio is invited to speak at the Commemorative Event of the 4th Observance of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, as proclaimed by UNGA resolution 75/275 on Wednesday, 13 September. His Excellency President Bio will deliver a statement on a national leader’s perspective, and other speakers include Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, SDG Advocate and Chairperson Education Above All Foundation, H.E. President of the General Assembly, H.E. Secretary-General of the UN, The Hon. Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the Director-General of UNESCO, the Executive-Director of UNICEF, and SRSG Ms. Virginia Gamba de Potgieter.
On Sunday, 17 September, His Excellency President Bio has been invited to deliver remarks at the high-level opening segment together with the H.E. UN Secretary-General at the High-level Session on Transforming Education at the SDG Action Weekend, sponsored by the UNSG’s Office, UNESCO, UNICEF, and the TES Champion Countries, including Sierra Leone.
On the same 20 September, His Excellency President Bio is invited to speak at the opening panel in the discussion on Africa’s Global Voice and Multilateralism hosted by African Governance Institute and co-sponsored by Sierra Leone. Other African Leaders invited include President Paul Kagame (Rwanda), and President William Ruto (Kenya). His Excellency President Bio is invited to speak on his role as Coordinator of the African Union C10 and the APRM.
Finally on 20 September, an invitation has been extended by the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to His Excellency President Bio to speak at the High-level Action event on “Celebrating, consolidating, and extending progress: How we can end AIDS, how it helps to achieve the SDGs and to prepare and protect the world from Future Pandemics”.
On 21 September, a side event will be hosted by the Government of Sierra Leone together with Global Collaborative to honour the establishment of a Zero Tolerance Policy Against Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence. This initiative is led by Madam First Lady Dr. Fatima Bio, and the event is a follow-up on the adoption of the UNGA resolution on the November 18 World Day.
His Excellency President Bio, supported by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts focused on Sierra Leone’s Security Council tenure with the Permanent and Elected Members of the UN Security Council, and situation countries.
Besides the General Debate, there will be high-level meetings either mandated by the General Assembly or convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to be held during the HLW of UNGA78.
The Sustainable Development Goals Summit (2023 SDG Summit) 18-19 September 2023 opens up the HLW. The Summit marks the beginning of a new phase of accelerated progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals with high-level political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions leading up to 2030. Outside of the General Debate, it will be the centrepiece of the HLW as it is intended to respond to the impact of multiple and interlocking crises facing the world and is expected to reignite a sense of hope, optimism, and enthusiasm for the 2030 Agenda.
The next set of high-level meetings are focused on health. The President of the General Assembly will convene three high-level mandated meetings on health, and these include: The United Nations (UN) high-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response to be held 20 September 2023 which presents an opportunity for Member States to further mobilize political momentum, including through the integration of a multisectoral approach towards pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, given the multifaceted consequences of pandemics.
The next health high-level meeting is on Universal Health Coverage to be convened on 21 September 2023, and it presents an opportunity for countries and stakeholders to renew efforts and accelerate progress toward achieving health for all. This will serve as the foundation for executing policies and ensuring responsibility for strengthening health systems for the future, building on the 2019 Political Declaration.
The Second UN high-level meeting on Fight to End Tuberculosis scheduled for 22 September 2023 rounds up the health high-level meetings. This meeting is aimed to undertake a comprehensive review on the achievement of agreed tuberculosis targets 2018 Political Declaration of the first UN General Assembly high level meeting on tuberculosis, and to identify gaps and solutions to accelerate progress towards ending the tuberculosis epidemic by 2030.
The Financing for Development (FfD) high-level dialogue has become a staple of HLW and will be convened on 20 September 2023. The dialogue, inspired by the Ababa Action Agenda (para 132), which calls for it to convene back-to-back with the HLPF’s UNGA-level meeting every four years, will seek to review and monitor the financing and means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
The Climate Ambition Summit 2023 will be convened by the UN Secretary-General on 20 September 2023. The first-ever Climate Ambition Summit will coalesce leaders from government, business, cities, and finance to kick-start new, tangible ideas and plans to combat climate change. The design and outcomes of the Summit will be delivered on three distinct but interrelated acceleration tracks: ambition, credibility, and implementation.
The Preparatory Ministerial Meeting for the Summit of the Future to be convened on 21 September 2023, being convened 1 year before the 2024 Summit of the Future, will conclude the high-level meetings. Given the major global shocks in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, and the triple planetary crisis, among others, which have challenged our international institutions, unity around our shared principles and common goals is both crucial and urgent.
Looking ahead, the Summit of the Future is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance cooperation on critical challenges and address gaps in global governance, reaffirm existing commitments including to the SDGs and the UN Charter, and move towards a reinvigorated multilateral system that is better positioned to positively impact people’s lives. Building on the SDG Summit in 2023, Member States will consider ways to lay the foundations for more effective global cooperation that can deal with today’s challenges as well as new threats in the future. In 2024, an action-oriented Pact for the Future is expected to be endorsed by Heads of State/Government at the Summit, showcasing global solidarity for current and future generations.
Other significant meetings include the High-level Summit of the g7+ convened by the Republic of Sierra Leone as Chair and Timor Leste, the host country of the headquarters of g7+.
His Excellency President Bio is invited to speak at the Commemorative Event of the 4th Observance of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, as proclaimed by UNGA resolution 75/275 on Wednesday, 13 September. His Excellency President Bio will deliver a statement on a national leader’s perspective, and other speakers include Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, SDG Advocate and Chairperson Education Above All Foundation, H.E. President of the General Assembly, H.E. Secretary-General of the UN, The Hon. Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the Director-General of UNESCO, the Executive-Director of UNICEF, and SRSG Ms. Virginia Gamba de Potgieter.
On Sunday, 17 September, His Excellency President Bio has been invited to deliver remarks at the high-level opening segment together with the H.E. UN Secretary-General at the High-level Session on Transforming Education at the SDG Action Weekend, sponsored by the UNSG’s Office, UNESCO, UNICEF, and the TES Champion Countries, including Sierra Leone.
On the same 20 September, His Excellency President Bio is invited to speak at the opening panel in the discussion on Africa’s Global Voice and Multilateralism hosted by African Governance Institute and co-sponsored by Sierra Leone. Other African Leaders invited include President Paul Kagame (Rwanda), and President William Ruto (Kenya). His Excellency President Bio is invited to speak on his role as Coordinator of the African Union C10 and the APRM.
Finally on 20 September, an invitation has been extended by the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to His Excellency President Bio to speak at the High-level Action event on “Celebrating, consolidating, and extending progress: How we can end AIDS, how it helps to achieve the SDGs and to prepare and protect the world from Future Pandemics”.
On 21 September, a side event will be hosted by the Government of Sierra Leone together with Global Collaborative to honour the establishment of a Zero Tolerance Policy Against Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence. This initiative is led by Madam First Lady Dr. Fatima Bio, and the event is a follow-up on the adoption of the UNGA resolution on the November 18 World Day.
His Excellency President Bio, supported by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts focused on Sierra Leone’s Security Council tenure with the Permanent and Elected Members of the UN Security Council, and situation countries.
Overall, the Mission has adopted an approach to ensure the delegation of Sierra Leone participates in all meetings at the level of Head of State or Government, and all other meetings with high impact. The expected outcomes, therefore, includes ensuring effective representation of the Sierra Leone voice in the most important policy deliberation globally. The delegation of Sierra Leone has the platform to reinforce priorities for the UNSC at the Heads of State/Government level and at the Ministerial level and demonstrating global leadership on matters of pressing concern for the international community. Importantly, HLW provides the opportunity for high-level bilateral engagements to strengthen friendly relations that feeds into concrete development programmes.
The Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations in New York is the lead agency responsible for promoting and protecting the best interest of Sierra Leone at the United Nations. Sierra Leone currently wields substantial influential role within the UN, including as an incoming member of the UN Security Council in the non-permanent category; Coordinator of the African Group on the reform of the UN Security Council, and in the negotiations, adoption and now ratification movement on the Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ) Agreement, as well as the reform of investor-State dispute settlement.
The Mission is therefore poised to lead at the UN in delivering on “The New Direction: Consolidating Gains and Accelerating Transformation People’s Manifesto 2023”. This starts with an effective engagement at UNGA78 HLW.
The Mission, therefore, extends to His Excellency President Bio and Madam First Lady Dr. Fatima Bio, the entire delegation and by extension the Government and people of Sierra Leone a very successful UNGA78 HLW.
