The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mano River Union (MRU), marking a significant step towards enhancing strengthen partnership between the two institutions.

The purpose of the MoU is to provide a framework for collaboration between the Parties and to further their shared goals and objectives with regard to the identification and formulation of inclusive rural transformation strategies..

The MOU was signed on Thursday 7th November 2024, at FAO in Sierra Leone’s country office in Freetown Sierra Leone, with representatives from both organizations emphasizing the importance of collaboration for sustainable development.

The areas of cooperation for the MoU centered around; advocacy and policy engagement to expand social protection coverage to rural populations for improving agricultural livelihoods, risk and humanitarian emergency management, climate action, natural resources management, food and nutrition, gender and youth empowerment; Rapid assessment of vulnerability and risks of selected border farming communities of Mano River countries to enhance access to social protection and productive livelihood; Capacity building of staff and officials from the MRU Secretariat and its members on social protection systems and programs; and Strengthening partnership with relevant stakeholders and mobilizing resources to implement the workplan.

Saeed A. Bancie, FAO representative in Sierra Leone, highlighted the partnership as an opportunity to reach and support communities across MRU’s member states. “Through this MOU, we aim to leverage our technical capacity and resources to improve resilience agrifood systems across the Mano River Union member states,” Bancie remarked, expressing optimism for a collaborative future with the MRU.

Ambassador Simeon M.B. Moribah, Secretary-General of the Mano River Union, spoke on the historical importance of the partnership. He noted that the UN’s establishment was a turning point in uniting global efforts toward development, with FAO serving as one of its key organs. “In our region, agriculture is a backbone of survival. This partnership with the FAO will enable us to achieve sustainable development and reach our goals for the communities that depend on us,” said Ambassador Moribah.

The MOU marks a renewed commitment by both the MRU and FAO to support sustainable agricultural initiatives, boost resource-sharing, and foster resilience across the MRU member states. Both parties expressed eagerness to begin implementing the partnership’s objectives, with plans to focus on sustainable agriculture, social protection, food and nutrition security, and resource mobilization to support underserved communities across the region.

With this partnership, the MRU and FAO aim to bring lasting improvements to agriculture, helping to ensure food security and economic stability for thousands of people across the Mano River Union subregion.

©FAO In Sierra Leone Communications