BY HASSAN OSMAN KARGBO
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs, successfully hosted the 3rd African High-Level Forum on South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development under the theme “The Role of the Global South in Reshaping the New International Order.”
The forum, from May 7 to 9, 2025, at the Bintumani International Conference Center in Freetown, brought together senior government officials, international partners, development experts, and diplomats to engage in dialogue around collaborative strategies for sustainable development and geopolitical rebalancing in favor of the Global South.
During the three-day event, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, underscored government’s commitment to advancing the Feed Salone initiative—an ambitious national food security and agricultural transformation strategy.
Speaking to delegates, Dr. Kpaka highlighted the progress already being witnessed across the country as a result of the program. “Our people have begun to experience the impact of Feed Salone,” Dr. Kpaka said. “We are seeing a drastic reduction in the prices of basic commodities, which is a clear indicator that we are moving in the right direction.”
He emphasized that although government is not yet at its final goal, tangible improvements have been made in agriculture and food systems over the past few years.
Dr. Kpaka called on international development partners to deepen collaboration with Sierra Leone to help achieve the full potential of the Feed Salone project.
He also thanked His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for his vision and unwavering support in driving the initiative, describing the President’s leadership as “instrumental in laying the foundation for sustainable growth in food security.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Political and Public Affairs, Mr. Amara Kallon, emphasized the strategic importance of the High-Level Forum in shaping Sierra Leone’s engagement with international development frameworks. He encouraged Sierra Leoneans to fully seize the opportunities presented by the event.
“This forum is not just another meeting—it is a platform for transformation,” Minister Kallon said. “As a nation, we must take full advantage of the global partnerships it presents, especially in promoting investment and cooperation with foreign investors in key sectors of our economy.”
Minister Kallon stressed that South-South and Triangular Cooperation presents an alternative to traditional aid models by encouraging countries of the Global South to share knowledge, resources, and technology in a mutually beneficial way.
He reiterated the government’s interest in building partnerships that prioritize long-term development over short-term assistance.
The forum featured several high-level panel discussions, country presentations, and bilateral meetings. Topics ranged from climate resilience and digital transformation to food systems, governance, and economic diversification.
Delegates from Africa, Asia, and Latin America shared best practices and forged new pathways for cooperation beyond conventional North-South relations.
Participants widely acknowledged Sierra Leone’s leadership in convening such a critical conversation, noting the timeliness of the theme in a rapidly evolving global landscape marked by economic shifts, climate threats, and rising demand for inclusive development models.
As the forum concluded, participants issued a call to action for member states and development partners to scale up investment in people-centered projects, increase cooperation among developing nations, and contribute to a new international order that is fairer and more representative of the Global South.
