By Sallieu S. Kanu
Port Lympia, Nice — Monday, June 9, 2025: Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, has reaffirmed his country’s dedication to Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) – Life Below Water at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France. Addressing global leaders, President Bio called for collective action to combat the pressing environmental crises facing the world’s oceans.
Delivering a keynote speech, he stressed the urgency of addressing ocean degradation, describing the situation as an “existential reckoning” due to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. He pointed out alarming statistics, including the depletion of 90% of large fish species and the rapid disappearance of coral reefs, which serve as crucial marine ecosystems.
Highlighting West Africa’s challenges, President Bio warned that the region has become a hotspot for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, costing Sierra Leone an estimated $50 million annually—funds that could otherwise support vital sectors like education, healthcare, and food security.
Declaring ocean conservation as a critical necessity, he announced three bold commitments for Sierra Leone’s sustainability agenda:
– Expanding marine protected areas to preserve biodiversity.
– Restoring 30,000 hectares of mangrove forests, essential for coastal protection and carbon sequestration.
– Launching a nationwide campaign to reduce plastic pollution by 50% by 2030.
President Bio urged global cooperation to tackle these challenges, emphasizing that immediate, decisive action is crucial for the future of the world’s oceans.
“Let us work together to take bold actions and secure a sustainable future for our oceans and our planet,” he concluded.
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This report captures the core of President Bio’s speech while making it more concise and engaging.