Sierra Leone took part in the launch of the Global Partnership for Poverty Alleviation and Development (GPPAD). The event was held in Beijing as part of this year’s Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum. Sierra Leone joined 53 other nations, represented by Hon. Tamba Lamina, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.

GPPAD is a collective effort of 54 countries and nine International Organisations, all focused on accelerating the global fight against poverty. Over the years, China has lifted over 800 million of its Citizens out of poverty, a number that matches the current global population living in extreme poverty.

Minister Lamina, along with officials from the Sierra Leone Embassy in China, attended the inaugural meeting of the GPPAD Committee. There, he participated in key discussions, including reviewing the alliance’s charter, adopting its action plan, and presenting the partnership’s early achievements.

Wei Dong, the Director-General of China’s National Development and Reform Commission’s Regional Revitalization Department, spoke at the opening session. He emphasized that China’s development journey proves that developing nations can eradicate poverty. He also reaffirmed China’s commitment to support countries based on their self-designed poverty-alleviation strategies and encouraged all GPPAD members to work collectively towards eliminating poverty worldwide.

Later in the day, Minister Lamina was the first keynote speaker at the sub-forum on “Development-Oriented Assistance and Green Development.” In his speech, he shared Sierra Leone’s experience in local governance, community-driven development, and effective poverty-reduction initiatives. He proposed new areas of cooperation, focusing on promoting rural green transformation through development-oriented assistance.

Sierra Leone’s involvement in the event demonstrates the Government’s dedication to global collaboration, sustainable development, and innovative poverty alleviation strategies.