Sierra Leone’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, has held a high-level meeting with the United Nations Peacebuilding Office in New York to advance the country’s application for re-eligibility to access resources from the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF). During the meeting, Minister Barlay presented Sierra Leone’s case for renewed eligibility, outlining key priority areas for support including national cohesion, implementation of the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) recommendations, youth and women’s empowerment initiatives, and strengthening of justice and governance systems. The Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support at the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Elizabeth Spehar, welcomed Sierra Leone’s commitment to consolidating peace and expressed strong support for its intention to reapply for PBF funding. She underscored that the PBF’s resources could play a catalytic role in sustaining peacebuilding gains and advancing the country’s prevention agenda. Ms. Spehar also encouraged the Sierra Leonean delegation to diligently pursue the next steps in the re-eligibility process. The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance I, Madam Kadie Allie; Development Secretary, Mr. Ambrose James; Director of DACO, Haja Abie Elizabeth Kamara; and Director of Planning, Policy and Research at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Sheka Bangura. Sierra Leone was previously a beneficiary of the PBF and successfully implemented several peacebuilding interventions. The re-eligibility initiative signals the Government’s continued commitment to peace consolidation and inclusive development. 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. End.