11/11/2025
Sierra Leone Calls for Global Action and Adaptation Financing at COP30 in Brazil
Representing His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, the Minister of The Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh E. Abdulai, delivered Sierra Leone’s national statement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, on Thursday, 6 November 2025.
Speaking to world leaders, Minister Abdulai reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to confronting the global climate crisis and called for stronger international action to address the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable nations.
“For many of our people, climate change is not an abstract concept. It is an everyday reality that threatens lives, livelihoods, and our path to sustainable development,” the Minister said, highlighting the extreme heat, devastating floods, landslides, and rising sea levels that continue to affect Sierra Leone.
He outlined the government’s ongoing actions to build national resilience, including:
- Strengthening disaster management and early warning systems
- Investing in climate-smart agriculture
- Restoring degraded terrestrial ecosystems and mangroves
- Empowering local communities to adapt and thrive
Minister Abdulai announced that Sierra Leone plans to enact a new climate law in early 2026, reinforcing the country’s climate governance framework and commitment to sustainable growth.
“By 2030, we aim to cut our socio-economic vulnerability index by half,” he said, adding that gender equality, youth leadership, and community participation are central to Sierra Leone’s climate agenda.
The Minister emphasised that while national efforts are strong, global cooperation and financing are essential. He called on developed nations to fulfil their climate finance pledges, prioritising adaptation support for Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
“Adequate and predictable financing for adaptation must be channelled directly to where it is needed most - to strengthen resilience, protect livelihoods, and secure a sustainable future for vulnerable communities,” he urged.
Minister Abdulai concluded by calling on all nations to turn commitments into measurable action: “Let COP30 be remembered as the summit where ambition met action, where the world agreed not only to reduce emissions but also to invest in resilience and adaptation for all.”
Sierra Leone’s presence at COP30 underscores the government’s commitment to global climate leadership, regional cooperation, and the pursuit of sustainable solutions for future generations.
