MoPED Launches South-South and Triangular Cooperation Strategic Plan 2026–2030

MoPED has launched its South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTrC) Strategic Plan 2026–2030, seeking stronger partnerships, resource mobilisation, knowledge sharing and measurable development results.

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) unveiled the plan at the New Brookfields Hotel, Freetown, under the theme "From the Freetown Declaration to Delivery."

Planning and Economic Development Minister Kenyeh Barlay led the launch. The ceremony drew Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs Hon. Amara Kallon; Ms Barlay; United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Frederick Hans Ampiah; Deputy Development Secretary I Usman Cherry Conteh; the German Ambassador; senior MoPED management; representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); members of the United Nations Country Team and the diplomatic community; regional and continental institutions; development partners; and representatives of the private sector, academia, civil society and the media.

Ms Barlay said the plan draws on Sierra Leone's Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024–2030 and the Government's Big Five Game Changers, offering a practical framework for access to technology, expertise, peer learning and other support from across the Global South.

She recalled Sierra Leone's hosting of the Third Africa High-Level Forum on South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development in May 2025, which produced the Freetown Declaration — a call for practical, measurable and accountable cooperation.

"A declaration is a promise; delivery is the proof of that promise," Ms Barlay said, stressing that the plan marked a deliberate shift from commitment to implementation.

She set out four priorities: coordinating partnerships, mobilising resources, sharing knowledge and innovation, and making results visible.

Ms Barlay urged MDAs to nominate and empower focal persons and to embed South-South and triangular cooperation in their core work. She said the Government would establish a Steering Committee and strengthen systems for coordinating partnerships and tracking results.

Public Administration and Political Affairs Minister Hon. Amara Kallon said the launch gives direction and structure to Sierra Leone's engagement with the Global South.

He recalled the commitment made at the high-level forum to establish an institutional mechanism for South-South and triangular cooperation, and commended MoPED for turning that pledge into the establishment of the Directorate and the development of the plan.

"A strategic plan tells us where we are going. It tells us what we must do and, most importantly, it tells us what results we must deliver," he said.

He pledged his Ministry's continued support for the professionalisation and functionality of the Directorate, stressing that the plan must become a living instrument rather than remain on the shelf.

UNDP Resident Representative Frederick Hans Ampiah said the plan gives the country a national architecture to make South-South and triangular cooperation more systematic, results-focused and aligned with national development priorities.

He said the Directorate would serve as a platform for partnership brokerage, knowledge and experience exchange, coordination and visibility.

Mr Ampiah noted that global financing constraints, climate shocks, technological disruption and uncertainty in international trade and financing make cooperation among Global South countries increasingly important.

He reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to supporting the Directorate's move from institution-building to effective operation, including systems, partnerships and institutional capacity.

He stressed that successful implementation would require active follow-up, cross-agency partnerships, strong leadership attention and disciplined prioritisation.

Director of South-South and Triangular Cooperation Robert Andrew Ganda presented the plan, outlining four strategic areas: strengthening coordination and governance; connecting resources to national opportunities; facilitating knowledge, technology and partnership exchange; and improving communication and visibility.

He highlighted key 2026 priorities, including establishing coordination mechanisms and MDA focal points, developing standard operating procedures, improving information sharing and setting up a national partnership and resource database, with milestones running to 2030.

Ms Barlay then declared the SSTrC Strategic Plan 2026–2030 officially launched, calling on stakeholders to work together to turn the Freetown Declaration into practical development outcomes for the people of Sierra Leone.