New York, Sept. 23, 2024 – H.E. Madam Kenyeh Barlay, Minister of Planning and Economic Development of Sierra Leone, joined global leaders at the 2024 UN Global Compact Private Sector Forum, held during the High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). The event, co-hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, focused on driving collective action for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) acceleration, with the Minister actively contributing to discussions on partnerships and bold leadership needed for a sustainable future.

As a key figure in the dialogue, Minister Barlay participated in high-level roundtables and emphasized the importance of collaboration between governments, the private sector, and multilateral institutions to address pressing global challenges, particularly in post-conflict nations like Sierra Leone. In her remarks, Barlay underscored the critical need for bold, transformative actions to advance sustainable development, stating: “In order to secure a sustainable future, we must not only rely on traditional policy approaches but foster dynamic public-private partnerships that address the root causes of inequality and economic instability.”

The Minister’s participation came at a pivotal moment, as the UN Global Compact’s Forward Faster initiative marked its one-year milestone. Over 1,700 companies have committed to accelerating their contributions to the SDGs across areas like Gender Equality, Climate Action, and Water Resilience, with more than 4,360 individual targets aligned with the 2030 Agenda. Minister Barlay praised the initiative, stressing the need for global businesses to remain committed to the SDGs, especially in fragile and conflict-affected states.

Barlay also addressed the Policy Enablers for Private-Sector SDG Acceleration report, which highlights the vital role of public policy in empowering the private sector to drive progress on the SDGs. “Governments must create enabling environments through policies that support sustainable investment, clean energy transitions, and inclusive economic growth,” Barlay said, while advocating for Sierra Leone and other g7+ nations to benefit from such policies.

The Forum provided an opportunity for Minister Barlay to engage with influential global business leaders, Heads of State, and UN officials on issues such as climate change, human rights, and economic disparities. She emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation, citing the Pact for the Future as a critical step toward a stronger, more inclusive international system. “We need decisive leadership and collaborative partnerships to ensure that the Pact’s ambitions translate into meaningful action on the ground,” Barlay added.

The event also saw the launch of the UN Global Compact’s Legal Council, designed to engage legal leaders in policy advocacy and provide strategic guidance on regulatory environments that promote sustainability. Minister Barlay highlighted the significance of this initiative, noting that legal reforms can help remove barriers to achieving the SDGs, especially in regions like Africa where governance challenges persist.

Barlay’s active participation underscored Sierra Leone’s commitment to the global agenda for sustainable development. Her advocacy for policy reform, partnerships, and multilateralism was well-received, with her remarks aligning with the overarching goals of the 2024 Private Sector Forum: to drive collective action and foster sustainable growth and shared prosperity worldwide.

As the Forum concluded, Minister Barlay reiterated the importance of aligning national development priorities with global sustainability goals, ensuring that the private sector plays a central role in Sierra Leone’s path toward resilience and long-term prosperity.

Minister Barlay called for transformative leadership and partnerships between public and private sectors to address urgent global challenges. She emphasized collaboration between business, finance, governments, and the UN as essential to accelerating SDG progress. Barlay also stressed the need for policies that foster sustainable investments and equitable growth, particularly in conflict-affected nations. Finally, she reaffirmed her commitment to multilateralism, endorsing global solidarity to tackle shared challenges.

The 2024 UN Private Sector Forum, organized by the UN Global Compact, brought together over 100 CEOs, global leaders, and UN officials to discuss actionable steps to accelerate progress on the SDGs, reinforcing the central role of businesses in shaping a more sustainable future.

For further information, please contact the Alfred Kabia on +23279174027 or visit the Ministry’s official social media handles: Twitter-@moped2024, on Facebook and website: moped.gov.sl 
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