This Sierra Leone National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2026–2035 is a detailed implementation strategy that implements Sierra Leone's obligations under Article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), translates the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) into nationally adapted targets, and connects biodiversity policy with the country's development, climate and public-finance systems. The Mission of the Strategy is to halt and reverse biodiversity loss while using biodiversity conservation as a component of sustainable and inclusive national development. The Strategy identifies 12 broad outcomes, including: biodiversity-sensitive spatial planning; protection and effective conservation of priority ecosystems; restoration of degraded ecosystems; reduction of pollution; prevention and management of invasive alien species; sustainable use in fisheries, forestry and agriculture; mainstreaming biodiversity throughout government and economic sectors; maintenance and enhancement of ecosystem services; inclusive governance and equitable benefit-sharing; mobilisation of sustainable biodiversity finance; transparent monitoring, reporting and accountability; stronger national implementation, monitoring and enforcement capacity. Targeted actions include: restoration of degraded terrestrial, inland-water, coastal and marine ecosystems; development of protected areas; making harvesting and trade sustainable, legal and effectively regulated; recovering threatened species and protect genetic diversity; reducing nutrients, hazardous chemicals, pesticides, plastics and other pollution affecting biodiversity; ensuring protection of water regulation, pollination, fisheries productivity, soil fertility and coastal zone; improving urban/peri-urban green and blue spaces; ensuring fair and equitable access and benefit-sharing concerning genetic resources; establishing an integrated biodiversity information and monitoring system; reducing unsustainable consumption, food loss and waste; strengthening regulation of biotechnology and living modified organisms; increasing and diversifying biodiversity financing; integrating biodiversity into education, research and public awareness. The Strategy is developed around six strategic programmes: 1) Biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning and safeguards; 2) protected, conserved and connected ecosystems and species recovery; 3) sustainable production, use and livelihoods; 4) pollution control, ecosystem services and climate resilience; 5) governance, rights, inclusion, knowledge and participation; 6) finance, implementation, monitoring and accountability. The Strategy also focuses on: agricultural extension, agroforestry measures, conservation of genetic diversity and locally adapted crop and livestock resources, improved fisheries enforcement, interventions against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU), traceability, development of marine protected areas, protection of inland aquatic ecosystems, sustainable forest management, control of illegal exploitation of forest products.
Sierra Leone · 2026-03-01