A rapid review process held in the city of Bo, Sierra Leone, helped the country take another step forward with its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). Sierra Leone’s facilitator with the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership attended and reported on the meetings held on April 16th and 17th, which brought together national experts to assess the current strategy, identify gaps, and propose targeted updates.

The meetings helped ensure the national strategy aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and its 23 targets and that the country’s plans are actionable, attainable, and measurable. A diverse mix of stakeholders came together to perform reviews and updates, including representatives from government ministries, academia, civil society, and private sector organizations working on conservation, restoration, and biodiversity protection.

Joseph Sapunka Turay, Sierra Leone’s CBD National Focal Point and Director of the Environment Health and Safety Directorate, opened the meeting with a message from the Executive Chairman of the Environment Protection Agency. The statement highlighted the importance of finalizing a country-driven, GBF-aligned NBSAP that reflects Sierra Leone’s unique priorities and realities.

Thanks to support from the GEF Early Action Support project, two consultants presented four key draft documents for review: Revised National Targets for NBSAPs, a Policy Alignment Report to ensure coherence with the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, a Biodiversity Monitoring Systems Plan to improve progress tracking, and a Biodiversity Framework and Finance Assessment to explore funding and partnership opportunities.

Across two intensive days, participants collaborated to ensure document updates were globally aligned and country-driven. Participants broke into four working groups to review and refine each document:

• Group 1 focused on strengthening national targets, proposing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound) indicators and actionable recommendations.
• Group 2 reviewed policy alignment, identifying gaps and suggesting legislative improvements for better coordination in natural resource management.
• Group 3 examined monitoring systems, refining indicators and proposing better access to baseline data and improved tracking mechanisms.
• Group 4 tackled biodiversity finance, suggesting a tailored, systematic approach to assess financing needs, mobilize resources, and implement sustainable solutions.

Critical review updates included making targets more measurable and specific, proposing legislation to solve conflicts within natural resource management, improving monitoring indicators and baseline data, and developing a systematic and customizable approach to finance solutions.

Sierra Leone’s NBSAP review meetings came shortly after its recent launch event and technical meetings on April 14th, showcasing its continued momentum on biodiversity action. After the rapid review, the country is primed for forward action towards the global goal of restoring harmony with nature.