His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, addressed the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, on 9th June 2025. He emphasised “the urgent need for global commitment to ocean health”. The conference aims to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”.
President Bio highlighted that “the ocean gives life, but it also demands respect in return”, a fundamental truth understood by Sierra Leone’s ancestors. He stated that today, “our ocean… is sending us distress signals that we can no longer ignore”. He noted that “the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution has converged most dramatically in our ocean”. Evidence of this crisis includes “more than 90 percent of large fish species are now overexploited or depleted” , and “coral reefs… are disappearing at alarming rates”.
For Sierra Leone, a low-lying coastal nation, “this global emergency is a daily reality” , with rising seas consuming shorelines, displacing entire communities, and threatening their very existence. The nation’s waters also face “ongoing exploitation” , with West Africa having “become the epicentre of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing”. Sierra Leone estimates an “annual loss of US$50 million” due to these illicit activities—resources desperately needed for education, healthcare, and food security. These losses represent “stolen futures and increased poverty for coastal communities”.
Despite these significant challenges, “Sierra Leone remains resilient and refuses to give in to despair”. The country has demonstrated leadership in the BBNJ Agreement negotiations, promoting principles of equity and fairness in international ocean governance.
President Bio proudly announced three “ambitious commitments that will accelerate Sierra Leone’s journey toward ocean sustainability”:
(i) Expand Marine Protected Areas: “Sierra Leone will expand its Marine Protected Areas to cover 30 percent of our marine and coastal zones by 2030, in line with the global ’30 by 30′ target”. This expansion will “establish ecological sanctuaries that allow marine life to recover and thrive”.
(ii) Restore Mangrove Forests: “By the year 2033,” Sierra Leone plans to “restore a minimum of 30,000 hectares of mangrove forest”. These vital ecosystems act as “carbon sinks, natural storm barriers, and nurseries for marine life, benefiting climate, communities, and biodiversity”.
(iii) Reduce Plastic Pollution: “We will launch a national campaign to reduce plastic pollution by 50% by the end of this decade”.
President Bio concluded by emphasising that “implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14… is not a luxury, and certainly not optional”. He stated, “It is an urgent necessity. A necessity for our economies, for our ecosystems, and ultimately, for our survival”. “Sierra Leone is ready. Ready to take the lead. Ready to work hand in hand with partners. And ready to take bold action” , understanding that “when we protect the ocean, we protect ourselves”.
