Umaru Napoleon Koroma, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, is spearheading Sierra Leone’s delegation at the Kimberley Process Intercessional Meeting in Dubai. The event focuses on reforms and improvements in the mining sector.
Deputy Minister Koroma emphasized Sierra Leone’s commitment to addressing key issues within the Kimberley Process, a certification scheme established in 2002 to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the mainstream market. Highlighting Sierra Leone’s significant role, Koroma noted the country’s involvement in a panel discussion aimed at benefiting diamond mining communities, alongside representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Russia, South Africa, and other industry stakeholders. He also co-chaired a meeting of the African Diamond Producing Countries (ADPA) with Zimbabwe’s Minister of Mines.
“The Kimberley Process has effectively aided African diamond-producing countries in benefiting from their diamond resources through export taxes,” Koroma stated. The process currently includes 85 member countries.
In addition to his participation in the meeting, Deputy Minister Koroma visited the Sierra Leone Embassy in the UAE, commending the Ambassador and staff for their efforts in fostering investment interests from the UAE to Sierra Leone. He lauded their contributions to President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five Agenda, aimed at national development.
Ambassador Rashid Sesay expressed enthusiasm over hosting Koroma, updating him on the Mission’s activities and the welfare of Sierra Leoneans in the UAE. Sesay, recently appointed Dean of the African Group of Ambassadors in the UAE, highlighted this role’s impact on elevating Sierra Leone’s profile in the region. He also thanked President Bio for supporting the Mission and acknowledged Koroma’s service to the country.
“I am confident that your participation will lead to meaningful contributions, influencing outcomes that will transform our mining sector for the betterment of Sierra Leone,” Sesay concluded.
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