Julius Maada Bio has arrived in New York to attend high-level meetings of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), for which Sierra Leone holds the presidency for November.
The president said he was “excited” about the visit and looked forward to “highly productive discussions ahead”.
This marks Sierra Leone’s second time leading the Security Council. The country first held the presidency in August 2024 and is currently serving its second and final year as a non-permanent member, returning to the global team after two decades.
Sierra Leone’s agenda for the month includes four main issues: conflict-driven food insecurity; climate-related security risks; the proliferation of small arms and light weapons; and the inclusion of youth in peace and security.
The trip follows a recent phone call between President Bio and António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, who praised Sierra Leone’s leadership and progress in governance and peace-building.
Earlier, the country chaired a high-level open debate on the spread of small arms and light weapons (SALW) on 11 November, led by Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister. He emphasised that SALW are among the major causes of civilian casualties and that they are intensifying terrorism and organised crime in regions such as West Africa and the Sahel.
Sierra Leone has also taken up the role of Co-Chair of the “Group of Friends of Action on Conflict and Hunger”, alongside Ireland, in a partnership aimed at tackling the link between conflict and food insecurity.
The government in Freetown says its tenure on the Security Council offers a “historic opportunity” to highlight Africa’s priorities and enhance its international credibility. The upcoming meetings are expected to boost diplomatic visibility and reinforce calls for multilateral reforms amid evolving global crises.
