Nice, France, June 9–13, 2025 – The Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Madam Kenyeh Barlay, participated in the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) held in Nice, France, from June 9 to 13, 2025. She joined fellow cabinet ministers, including Princess Dugba of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) and Abudulai Jiwoh of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, to advance Sierra Leone’s engagement in ocean sustainability and Blue Economy development.
Minister Barlay played a pivotal facilitative role in coordinating strategic meetings and leading the organization of Sierra Leone’s high-profile Blue Economy Investment Expo, held on June 12 at the A Casa d’i Soci conference room in Monaco. The Expo was a major side event aimed at showcasing Sierra Leone’s investment potential and mobilizing resources to support the implementation of the country’s Blue Economy National Action Plan.
In her keynote address at the event, Minister Barlay underscored Sierra Leone’s commitment to sustainable marine development and called on investors and partners to support the country’s efforts to unlock the full potential of its Blue Economy.
“*Sierra Leone is open and ready for investment in its Blue Economy sectors. We are committed to maximizing the impact and efficiency of gains already made in harnessing our marine resources for sustainable and inclusive growth*,” she stated.
The Expo attracted a broad range of international stakeholders, including private investors, development partners, international NGOs, the African Union Commission, AUDA-NEPAD, the African Export–Import Bank, representatives from the Republic of Iceland, and the Special Envoy of Liberia on Climate Change and the Blue Economy.
During the conference, Minister Barlay, together with the other attending ministers, facilitated and participated in several important bilateral engagements and thematic side events. These included a meeting with the Icelandic Director General for International Development Cooperation to discuss opportunities for collaboration in marine and coastal development. The team also took part in the Republic of Iceland’s side event focused on advancing blue foods as a means of ensuring sustainability, food security, and livelihood improvement.
Additionally, the ministers met with the Director of the Sustainable Blue Economy Project under the West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme (WASOP) to explore ways of strengthening regional cooperation. They also participated in WASOP’s own side event themed Towards Ocean Sustainability for Inclusive Growth in West Africa, which highlighted collective approaches to managing ocean resources.
The Sierra Leone delegation contributed meaningfully to the African Union side event on Accelerating Action to Meet Africa’s Sustainable Blue Economy Aspirations, and took part in the Mobilization Action Panel 3 to explore partnership-building opportunities for follow-up on their side event. Furthermore, they attended the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) side event, titled Achieving a Fully Mapped Ocean – A Call to Action, which stressed the importance of ocean mapping for sustainable marine governance.
Sierra Leone’s active participation at UNOC3 created valuable opportunities to strengthen partnerships and secure international support. At both the Sierra Leone side event and across the broader conference platform, strategic commitments were obtained from AUDA-NEPAD, the Green Economy Partnership, and the West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme.
The Blue Economy Secretariat at MoPED will coordinate the follow-up actions, including submission of additional bankable project profiles to convert these commitments into concrete, impactful investments.
*For more information, please contact Alfred Kabia at +232 79174027, or visit MoPED’s social media platforms*:
Twitter (@moped2025), Facebook, or the official website at www.moped.gov.sl.