His Excellency Dr Eustáquio Januário Quibato, Angola’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone and resident in Conakry, Guinea, paid a courtesy call on Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Nabeela Farida Tunis, as part of Angola’s preparations for the 3rd UN Africa Gastronomy Summit. The continental event will be held in Sierra Leone from December 2 to 4, 2026.
Ambassador Quibato’s visit was an advance mission on behalf of the Angolan Minister and the delegation set to attend the summit. The ambassador, representing his minister, met with Minister Tunis and her team to discuss logistical arrangements and gather first-hand information about what participating countries can expect upon arrival and during the summit.
Minister Tunis welcomed the ambassador and reiterated Sierra Leone’s readiness to host the high-profile gathering. She told the Angolan delegation that all arrangements had been made with UN Tourism to ensure the delegates’ experience is smooth, safe, and memorable. The minister outlined reception and transportation arrangements for arriving participants, saying those arriving at Freetown International Airport in Lungi will be received and taken to accommodation facilities close to the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre, the main venue for the summit. The transfer from the airport to the nominated hotels is expected to take approx. 30 minutes.
The minister also said the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre will host the main conference sessions on the second and third days of the three-day summit. With anticipated increases in attendance, the ministry has secured other local hotels within walking distance of the conference centre. Minister Tunis has identified LIA Hotel, Gateway Hotel and Tariq’s Resort as delegate accommodation, all within seven to twelve minutes of the event venue. She explained that these decisions aim to reduce travel times and facilitate participants’ participation in plenaries, workshops and side events.
Minister Tunis also informed the ambassador of the logistical arrangements and the series of complementary activities planned to accompany the summit. The events seek to promote Sierra Leone’s tourism potential, cultural heritage, and hospitality industry, as well as investment opportunities, to visiting ministers, policymakers, tourism experts, culinary professionals, development partners, and investors. The minister stressed that the program has been thoughtfully curated to offer delegates a comprehensive experience of the country’s culinary traditions and tourism assets and to promote Sierra Leone as an attractive destination for international conferences and leisure travel.
Ambassador Quibato congratulated the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and their partners for the meticulous preparations and comprehensive briefing, and reaffirmed Angola’s participation in the summit. He expressed confidence that the meeting would improve collaboration across Africa to boost gastronomy, culture conservation, tourism and sustainable economic growth.
Organisers expect the 3rd UN Africa Gastronomy Summit to bring together a wide range of stakeholders across the continent to discuss the links between food, culture and development. As Sierra Leone puts the finishing touches in place, the government has promoted the summit as a historic opportunity to showcase the diversity of African food and prove the country’s growing capacity to host major international events.
