China and the United Nations (UN) have discussed strengthening cooperation to support Sierra Leone’s development priorities with emphasis on agriculture, health, education, peace-building and evidence-based policymaking.

The discussions took place during a courtesy call by UN Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakana to Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Zhao Yong in the capital, Freetown.

Ms Wakana congratulated Mr Zhao on his appointment and commended China’s support to Sierra Leone, including during the country’s tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 2024 to 2025.

She stressed the need for coordinated partnerships to advance Sierra Leone’s national development agenda, while highlighting constitutional reform, inclusive elections, youth and women’s empowerment and security and cross-border challenges.

Ms Wakana also underscored the importance of strengthening national data systems to support evidence-based policymaking and development planning.

She presented the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2025-2030, aligned with Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024-2030, and called for stronger collaboration with China, particularly in agriculture.

Mr Zhao reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone in partnership with the government and the UN, highlighting more than five decades of friendship between the two countries.

He said China’s development cooperation focuses on priorities under Sierra Leone’s “Big Five Game Changers”, particularly agriculture, health and education.

Mr Zhao announced that the 15th batch of Chinese agricultural experts would soon arrive in Sierra Leone to support agricultural development and food security.

He also highlighted China’s deployment of three medical teams to Sierra Leone and its support for human capital development through training opportunities.

Both sides emphasised the value of closer coordination among Sierra Leone, the UN and China in advancing sustainable development, peace and national prosperity. 

(Xinhua/NAN)