Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio delivered a keynote address at the annual g7+ High-Level Summit, held alongside the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York. The summit marked Sierra Leone’s completion of a decade as chair of the g7+, a coalition of fragile and conflict-affected states.
President Bio reflected on Sierra Leone’s evolution from civil conflict to leading the international group. “We have proven that fragility is not a destiny, but a condition that can be overcome, with the right tools, trust, and time,” he said.
During Sierra Leone’s tenure as chair, the g7+ took several notable steps. These included advocating for the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States, supporting Sustainable Development Goal 16 which focuses on peaceful and inclusive societies, obtaining Observer Status at the UN General Assembly, and delivering its first statement at the UN Security Council during Sierra Leone’s presidency in 2024.
President Bio highlighted cooperation among member countries facing similar challenges. He noted that collaboration had aided elections, peace processes, and responses to health crises within member states. He stated: “those who have lived in fragility are best placed to guide others out of it.”
Looking forward, President Bio urged unity among g7+ members to address issues such as climate change, debt burdens, pandemics, and global rivalries. He called for more equitable financing and stronger advocacy for climate justice and debt relief.
As leadership transitioned from Sierra Leone to Solomon Islands, President Bio expressed confidence in the coalition’s future. “Our scars have become strategies. Our unity has become strength. And our vision is unwavering: no country should be left behind simply because its journey began from a place of fragility,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming commitment to one of the founding principles of the g7+: “no decisions about us, without us.”