By: Samuel Hinga Norman
Freetown, September 9, 2025 – A three-day regional workshop aimed at bringing global development goals closer to local communities kicked off today at the New Brookfields Hotel. Organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the event focuses on how Sierra Leone and other African nations can better implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063 at the local level.
Supported by the Government of Italy, the workshop is part of a broader initiative to strengthen public institutions, improve citizen participation, and accelerate development through local governance. The theme “Advancing the Principle of Subsidiarity in Practice” emphasizes the importance of making decisions closer to the people they affect.
Subsidiarity is one of 11 principles of effective governance endorsed by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2018. It calls for empowering local authorities and communities to take the lead in development planning and service delivery. By embedding SDGs into local budgets, policies, and institutions, governments can ensure that “no one is left behind.”
Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Madam Kenyeh Barlay, said the workshop aligns with Sierra Leone’s national priorities and its commitment to international agreements. She acknowledged gaps in the country’s development agenda but emphasized the government’s readiness to partner and collaborate for better planning and program management.
“This is the time to articulate our country’s needs, despite the challenges,” Barlay told participants. She urged local councils to think creatively about revenue generation and called for bold, practical solutions.
Development Secretary Ambrose James chaired the opening session, which drew a wide range of stakeholders from government, civil society, and international organizations.
Delivering the keynote address, Chief Minister Dr. David Sengeh highlighted the importance of aligning Sierra Leone’s national ambitions with regional and global frameworks. He pointed to the President’s “Big Five Game Changers” as proof of the government’s commitment to human capital development.
“Our priorities are rooted in people and they connect across global, regional, national, and local levels,” Sengeh said.
The workshop runs until September 11 and is expected to produce actionable recommendations for improving local governance, digital coordination and citizen engagement. Organizers say the goal is to ensure that development is not just top-down, but community-driven and inclusive.
