The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) of Sierra Leone recently participated in a significant regional event aimed at addressing the pressing issue of biodiversity conservation. The event, the ECOWAS Coordination Meeting on Expanding and Strengthening Protected Areas, took place at the Johnwood Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria.

Joseph Turay, the CBD National Focal Point for Sierra Leone, played a pivotal role by presenting the Strategic Areas of Intervention and Priority Recommendations to Combat the West African Biodiversity Crisis. This presentation shed light on Sierra Leone's commitment to tackling environmental challenges within the broader West African context.

The meeting was closely aligned with the implementation of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a comprehensive plan adopted in December 2022 by parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This framework outlines four core goals aimed at supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering global harmony with nature by 2050.

During the gathering, various strategies were discussed to address the alarming loss of biodiversity and its detrimental impact on both nature and human well-being. These strategies encompassed a wide range of actions, including assessing gaps in the regional network of protected areas, developing regional guidance on spatial planning for protected area expansion, and establishing mechanisms for monitoring and funding such initiatives.

A key outcome of the meeting was the adoption of a declaration urging ECOWAS Member States to develop an ECOWAS Biodiversity Strategy by 2025. This strategy, which will serve as a Regional Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (RBSAP), aims to leverage regional collaboration in combating the biodiversity crisis. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of mainstreaming the development and updating of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) across the ECOWAS region.

The participation of the EPA in this ECOWAS meeting underscores Sierra Leone's commitment to regional cooperation in addressing environmental challenges. By actively engaging in such initiatives, Sierra Leone demonstrates its dedication to protecting natural resources and promoting sustainable development within the West African region.