REMARKS MADE BY PA LAMIN BEYAI (Ph.D.) NEWLY APPOINTED UNDP RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE TO SIERRA LEONE DURING THE PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIAL LETTER TO MRS NABEELA F. TUNIS, HON. MINSTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS & INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE

DATE: THURSDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2021 AT 11 AM

It is an honour and privilege to represent UNDP in this beautiful country. I would like to recognise the excellent work done during the past four years by my predecessor and brother, Dr. Samuel Doe. I hope to continue that path, and work towards increasing and diversifying UNDP programme portfolio in Sierra Leone.

In partnership with the Government, International & National Development Partners, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and other development stakeholders in Sierra Leone, UNDP programmes will support the people of this country in their quest to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially to eradicate poverty and build resilience to climate change shocks and disasters, without leaving anyone behind. Consequently, our programmatic offer as per our Country Programme Document (2020-2023) is fully aligned with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MT-NDP 2019-2023).

We will do this through two main programmatic clusters: Inclusive Democratic Governance & Sustainability & Local Economic Development. Where possible, we will use innovative means for efficiency and effectiveness.

Interventions in Inclusive Democratic Governance (IDG) among others, include, strengthening democratic institutions such as the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC), National Civil Registration (NCR), and Parliament of Sierra Leone to effectively carry out its oversight functions.

We will work with relevant entities on access to Justice & Human Rights in general, with emphasis on issues affecting women and supporting efforts to expedite justice for the vulnerable.

On Anti-corruption & effective Governance, we will use innovative solutions to curb-corruption such as supporting e-governance strides and building CSO capacity on social accountability, as well as work with CSO, school and other networks.

Peace-building and social cohesion interventions will develop the infrastructure for peace at national and local levels, and cross-border communities for conflict prevention, mediation, and reconciliation, to improve trust and security between communities and across international borders.

Sustainability & Local Economic Development (SLED) will focus on reducing environmental vulnerability, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhance effective natural resource management, including the blue economy, whilst supporting Local Economic Development (LED) mainly for Youth, women, and People Living with Disabilities.

For this, we would like to take forward the works already started with the Government of Sierra Leone in the Emergency Community Development Programmes.

To achieve the above, we will strengthen the institutional capacities of relevant Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs), and support the formulation of gender friendly policies and regulatory frameworks that address environmental issues and cater for vulnerable groups and emerging entrepreneurs.

In our efforts to successfully implement all this, we will rely on the support of and partnership with the Government of Sierra leone, National and International Development Partners, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and the people of Sierra Leone.

Thank you.