By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
H.E. Lansana Gberie, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, took center stage at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Session on 22nd May 2025.
He shared key insights from Sierra Leone’s recent ratification of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, emphasizing the urgent need for collective international action to bring the Agreement into force.
During the session, Ambassador Gberie outlined Sierra Leone’s ratification journey, stressing the importance of the Agreement in promoting sustainable fishing practices. He highlighted both the challenges and successes experienced by Sierra Leone a country heavily reliant on its maritime resources for economic stability and food security.
The Fisheries Subsidies Agreement seeks to eliminate harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing and marine ecosystem degradation. Gberie called on WTO member nations to unite in implementing the Agreement, asserting that its success depends on a collaborative global effort to ensure fair and sustainable fishing practices.
Ambassador Gberie, a distinguished figure in Sierra Leonean diplomacy, holds a PhD in African history and has extensive experience in international relations. He previously served as a United Nations official for six years, consulted for the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), and has published widely on conflict, human rights, and peacebuilding in Africa. His strong academic and professional background adds significant weight to his advocacy for sustainable ocean governance.
By actively participating in this high-level session, Gberie positioned Sierra Leone as a proactive leader in ocean governance and emphasized the importance of international commitment to environmental sustainability.
As nations move forward, his call for unified action remains a crucial step in safeguarding the world’s oceans for future generations.