On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), through its Division for Public Institutions and Digital Governance (DPIDG), in partnership with the African Union’s African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the Government of Sierra Leone, launched a four-day training workshop aimed at accelerating the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063 in Sierra Leone. Freetown — On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), through its Division for Public Institutions and Digital Governance (DPIDG), in partnership with the African Union’s African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the Government of Sierra Leone, launched a four-day training workshop aimed at accelerating the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063 in the country. The event at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown is supported by the Government of Italy as part of a regional initiative titled “Strengthening Local and National Government Capacities for SDG Localisation in Africa,” implemented by UN-DESA.
The workshop brings together a diverse range of stakeholders from across the country, including representatives from central ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), local councils, United Nations agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, and journalists. Its primary goal is to assist in translating national and continental priorities into actionable local development strategies, as well as to strengthen the institutional capacities of local and national governments to enable more effective planning, budgeting, and service delivery.
The four-day program aims to enhance understanding and practical application of the principle of subsidiarity, one of 11 effective governance principles for sustainable development developed by the UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) and endorsed by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2018. Subsidiarity emphasises that responsibilities should be assigned to the lowest effective level of government while maintaining coherence and coordination across governance levels. Workshop sessions are intended to assist participants in putting this principle into action in their local plans, budgets, and institutions.
The initiative is closely aligned with Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to strengthen multi-level governance and localise the SDGs. Government officials stated that the country’s experience with Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) in three municipalities provides a practical starting point for increasing local action, promoting inclusive planning, and aligning municipal priorities with national and continental commitments. When the SDGs are integrated into local plans, budgets, and institutions, and local stakeholders are empowered and resourced, progress tends to accelerate, and the 2030 Agenda’s inclusive ambition of leaving no one behind can be advanced more effectively.
The workshop also aims to raise awareness and strengthen the link between the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063, the African Union’s strategic framework for inclusive and sustainable development. Agenda 2063’s Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) prioritises responsive public institutions, which align with the SDGs and Moonshot 3. The STYIP identifies multi-level governance, e-governance, and coordination as effective accelerators for Agenda 2063 implementation at national and sub-regional levels.
Chief Minister Dr. David Sengeh delivered the keynote address, emphasising the importance of collaboration at all levels of government and society. He welcomed the international collaboration and stated that Sierra Leone is proud to host the workshop at this critical juncture in the country’s development trajectory. Dr. Sengeh emphasised that incorporating SDGs into local plans results in tangible progress and impact, and he connected the government’s “Big Five” game changers to human capital development and broader continental and UN protocols. Recognising persistent challenges, including data gaps, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to meeting national, regional, and global obligations. The Chief Minister urged local governments to promote tax compliance through digital and online payment systems, emphasising that localisation must be accompanied by radical inclusion that prioritises marginalised groups, particularly women and young people.
According to Madam Kenyeh Barlay, Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), the project will help Sierra Leone achieve global recognition and strengthen its institutions. She stated that the government has identified gaps in its development agenda and has implemented numerous international agreements, including AU and UN commitments. Madam Barlay advocated for collaboration and partnership to improve planning and program management, noting that the workshop aligns with national priorities. She challenged participants to propose practical, innovative solutions, to “think outside the box,” and to identify new revenue sources to help local councils.
The opening session was chaired by Mr. Ambrose James, the MoPED Development Secretary. Other program contributors included Ms. Adriana Alberti, Chief of the Program Management and Capacity Development Unit in DPIDG at UN DESA; Mr. Fredrick Ampiah, UNDP Resident Representative and Resident Coordinator AI for Sierra Leone; and Mr. Tamba Lamina, Minister of Local Government and Community Development. Ms. Nosipho Dhladhla of DPIDG, UN DESA, facilitated the workshop’s first day.
According to the organisers, the training will include technical presentations, peer learning, and practical exercises to assist participants in strengthening local governance systems, improving alignment between local and national development planning, and increasing the use of digital tools for governance and service delivery. Participants will discuss how to apply subsidiarity in Sierra Leone, learn from completed VLRs, and develop actionable follow-up measures for local planning, budgeting, and monitoring.
The workshop aims to accelerate Sierra Leone’s progress toward the SDGs and Agenda 2063 by fostering stronger institutional capacities, stakeholder alignment, and the practical application of subsidiarity, ensuring that transformations prioritised at the national and continental levels are realised where they are most important: at the local level.
