Minister Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Max-Kyne PhD., climaxed her participation at the 10th Meeting of Parties to the Water Convention by addressing the main plenary session chaired by the Prime Minister of Slovenia, H.E. Mr Robert Golob.
Delivering her speech, the Minister started off by asserting that the Government of Sierra Leone considers accession to the UN Water Convention as a means to further enhance the country’s capacity to manage its shared water resource with its neigh boring countries of Guinea and Liberia. She informed her audience about the strong cooperation between Sierra Leone and its neighbouring countries for utilization of transboundary waters, with support from the Mano River Union, guided by a protocol of agreement between the three countries
Dilating on progress thus far for Sierra Leone’s accession process, she informed that following approval by cabinet to proceed with the process, stakeholder consultations has been held, and a workshop conducted, and that the instrument for accession completed by the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
She furthered that the instrument will be tabled in the well of parliament for ratification and assured that the process will be completed by December 2024.
The Minister also participated in a panel discussion for countries close to accession, where she articulated the key priorities of government. She emphasized the need for technical support in the areas of legal and regulatory frameworks to align national water laws and policies with the provisions of the Water Convention as well as financial support for stakeholder coordination germane to the accession process, and capacity building to train staff of the Ministry and related government MDAs to gain knowledge and skills for managing transboundary water resources. She also held fruitful bilateral discussions with Mr Marco Keiner, the Director of the Environment Division of the UN Water Convention Secretariate.