Sierra Leone president calls for united action against hunger at global conference

President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone delivered a keynote address at the World Without Hunger Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He emphasized the global food insecurity crisis and called for collective efforts to end hunger. The conference is organized by the Ethiopian government with UNIDO and the African Union Commission.

In his speech, President Bio highlighted the alarming levels of hunger in Africa and globally, citing World Food Program data showing that 21% of Africa's population faces moderate to severe hunger. In Sierra Leone, over 18% experience severe food insecurity.

Bio introduced Sierra Leone's FEED SALONE Program aimed at improving agricultural productivity and achieving food security. "Our program taps into Sierra Leone’s immense agricultural potential," he said, highlighting public-private partnerships and investments in agro-industrial clusters to reduce import reliance.

Women play a crucial role in Sierra Leone's agriculture sector, representing over 70% of the workforce. The FEED SALONE initiative aims to empower women economically while enhancing local production chains. "This commitment to gender equality is a cornerstone of our efforts," Bio stated.

Research and technology are integral to Sierra Leone's plans, with investments in climate-resilient crops through SLARI and a biometric national farmers’ registry for better resource allocation.

Bio announced forming an Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation at COP28 with countries like Brazil, Norway, and Rwanda. This coalition prioritizes making nutritious diets universally available.

With Africa’s population expected to reach 2.4 billion by 2050, Bio cited Ethiopia’s wheat self-sufficiency as an example of successful technological advancement and leadership.

He urged stakeholders worldwide to commit to revolutionizing food systems to meet Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). “We must use our political capital,” he implored.

Concluding on a hopeful note about Africa’s potential due to its arable land and youthful population, Bio affirmed: “It is in the world’s interest that Africa unlocks its agricultural potential.”

###