Sierra Leone's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh E. Abdulai, has called for increased international financial support to help Least Developed Countries (LDCs) meet global biodiversity conservation targets by 2030. Speaking at the high-level segment of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), Abdulai stressed that global environmental commitments must be matched by adequate funding. This will enable vulnerable countries to protect their ecosystems and achieve agreed targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
During a ministerial luncheon with Diego Mesa Puyo, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Minister outlined key priorities for improving access to biodiversity financing and strengthening national conservation efforts. Abdulai urged the GEF to extend the fast-tracking mechanisms under the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) to its wider biodiversity portfolio. He also called for more flexible co-financing arrangements that recognise in-kind contributions and domestic policy reforms.
Abdulai emphasised the need to link biodiversity conservation with rural economic development so that local communities can benefit from sustainable livelihoods while protecting the ecosystems on which they depend. This approach will ensure that conservation efforts are aligned with the needs of local communities and contribute to their economic development. The Minister's call for increased funding and flexible financing arrangements reflects the challenges faced by LDCs in meeting global biodiversity targets.
The Minister further called for stronger national institutions, improved environmental data collection and better spatial planning tools to help countries monitor progress towards their biodiversity commitments. He cautioned against overreliance on temporary project management units, advocating instead for investment in permanent government structures. This will enable countries to build sustainable capacity for conservation efforts and ensure long-term impact.
Abdulai also supported innovative financing options, including debt-for-nature swaps and biodiversity credits, provided they are backed by strong social and environmental safeguards. He urged international partners to help LDCs phase out harmful subsidies and align their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans with national climate adaptation plans, emissions-reduction commitments and poverty-reduction strategies. This will ensure that conservation efforts are aligned with broader development goals.
The Minister concluded that LDCs cannot achieve global biodiversity targets without financial support that reflects the scale of the environmental challenges and the commitments they have undertaken. He stressed that increased funding is essential for countries to meet their biodiversity commitments and protect their ecosystems. The international community must provide adequate financial support to enable LDCs to achieve their conservation goals.
Sierra Leone's call for increased funding and flexible financing arrangements reflects the country's commitment to meeting global biodiversity targets. The country's Environment Minister has emphasised the need for international cooperation and financial support to achieve these goals. The outcome of the COP17 conference will be crucial in determining the level of financial support provided to LDCs to meet their biodiversity commitments.
Key points
- Sierra Leone's Environment Minister calls for increased international financial support to meet global biodiversity conservation targets by 2030.
- Minister Abdulai urges the GEF to extend fast-tracking mechanisms under the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund to its wider biodiversity portfolio.
- The Minister emphasises the need to link biodiversity conservation with rural economic development to ensure sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
