New York, 22 September 2024 – At the United Nations Summit of the Future, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio and Ireland’s Prime Minister Simon Harris co-chaired a pivotal interactive dialogue focused on enhancing multilateralism for global peace and security. The session, titled “Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security,” underscored the urgent need for more robust and inclusive global cooperation to address pressing global challenges.
During his address, President Bio highlighted the unprecedented threats facing the world, including violent conflict, terrorism, climate change, and health crises, all of which require coordinated international efforts. “These threats know no borders and cannot be tackled by any Member State alone,” he stated, emphasizing the need for revitalizing multilateral frameworks to ensure collective action.
Drawing from Sierra Leone’s own experience of post-conflict recovery, President Bio praised international institutions such as the United Nations, the African Union, and ECOWAS for their roles in promoting peace and reconciliation in his country. He acknowledged the transformative impact of global partnerships in rebuilding Sierra Leone after years of civil war.
President Bio also expressed concern over rising geopolitical tensions and growing nationalism, which he said pose serious threats to global stability. He called for urgent reforms of multilateral institutions, specifically advocating for restructuring the United Nations Security Council to give Africa greater representation, noting the continent’s significant population and its experiences with conflict.
He concluded by urging global leaders to embrace multilateralism and seek innovative solutions to contemporary global challenges. “Together, we can forge a stronger multilateral system to address today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow,” he affirmed, delivering a message that resonated strongly with leaders from the Global South who have long called for more inclusive international governance.
The dialogue co-chaired by Bio and Harris is seen as a significant step toward fostering a renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation as the international community faces an increasingly complex array of global issues.
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