The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Mr. Erik Solheim and team paid a courtesy call on the Honorable Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs. Nimatulai Bah-Chang at her Tower Hill office in Freetown.

According to Mr. Solheim, the aim of the visit was to broaden and strengthen the bilateral relationship between UNEP and the Republic of Sierra Leone with regards environmental issues in order to help tackle the issue of deforestation and other environmental hazards. 

Mrs. Nimatulai Bah-Chang in her welcome statement lauded the long standing bilateral working relationship with UNEP with a view to enhancing the management of Sierra Leone’s environment and natural resources which is vital to the country’s development. She emphasized that the New Direction agenda of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio considers the issues of the environment as paramount this is why the government is supportive of the environment protection act.

Some of the issues discussed during the meeting focused on strengthening the relationship between UNEP and the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the existing policy on environmental issues, log banning, reviewing the Environment Protection Act.

Present at the ceremony were: UNEP Head of Office Angele Luh; UNEP Director & Regional Representative Dr. Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo; UNEP Special Assitant to the Executive Director, Aline Nsengimana Umutoni; United Nations Special Assistant to the Resident Coordinator Janete Rebizzi; United Nations Sierra Leone Strategic Planning Advisor, Philip Dive; the Director for Multilateral & International Cooperation, Mr. Franklin Fawundu; and Deputy Director Protocol Mr. Alhassan Kargbo of the Ministry of Foreigh Affairs.