By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter
Freetown, July 17, 2025 – The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) convened a High-Level Reflection Dialogue for the fourth Monitoring Round of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC) under the theme “Stronger Partnerships for Sustainable Development.” The event was held at Tower Hill in Freetown and attracted a diverse array of stakeholders dedicated to enhancing development cooperation.
The GPEDC serves as a multi-stakeholder platform aimed at improving the effectiveness of all forms of development cooperation. It unites governments, civil society, the private sector, and other partners to foster impactful and sustainable development aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The platform promotes the implementation of effective cooperation principles, mutual accountability, and stronger partnerships.
In her opening remarks, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, praised the robust participation of stakeholders in the monitoring process. She emphasized that the GPEDC exercise was highly inclusive, securing political buy-in from all actors and informed by comprehensive data collected through various engagements with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), civil society, development partners, and the private sector. “We have obtained high-quality data and outcomes that will guide necessary behavioral shifts among stakeholders,” Madam Barlay stated, underscoring the goal of improving overall development effectiveness in Sierra Leone.
The Minister also highlighted the strategic implications of findings from the National Development Cooperation Framework and development partners’ country strategies. She called for continued efforts from both government and partners to create an enabling environment for civil society and private sector actors, facilitating broader resource mobilization and impactful spending towards development results.
Madam Barlay noted Sierra Leone’s improved global standing, achieving an overall score of 85% for the quality of its development planning processes, alongside significant progress in the utilization of country systems by development partners. While acknowledging existing challenges related to accountability mechanisms and data tracking, she reiterated the importance of adhering to effective cooperation principles and called for collective performance.
In his address, Mr. Robert Banamwana, Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, commended the Government of Sierra Leone and all stakeholders for their commitment to enhancing development cooperation in support of the SDGs. He reaffirmed the United Nations’ strong backing for GPEDC principles such as country ownership, results-based approaches, inclusive partnerships, and mutual accountability as essential pathways to sustainability and tangible outcomes for the people of Sierra Leone. Mr. Banamwana assured the UN’s continued commitment to supporting the government in implementing recommendations, including data-driven decision-making, transparency, fiscal integrity, institutional engagement, and inclusive partnerships.
The event attracted notable figures from various sectors, including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
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