President Dr. Julius Maada Bio addressed the General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, urging global investment in peace amid escalating conflicts and military spending. His remarks showed a critical need for international cooperation to address pressing global challenges, ranging from persistent conflicts to the existential threat of climate change. President Bio noted that global military expenditure reached almost US$2.9 trillion in 2025, marking the eleventh consecutive annual increase. This alarming rise in military spending, he noted, stands in stark contrast to the urgent need for investment in peacebuilding and development initiatives worldwide. President Bio cited ongoing atrocities and displacement in Sudan, continuing violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and terrorism across West Africa and the Sahel as examples of persistent conflict that demand immediate and sustained international attention. He emphasized that these conflicts not only cause immense human suffering but also divert key resources that could otherwise be used for sustainable development. Drawing on Sierra Leone’s own recovery from civil war, President Bio emphasized that the formal end of fighting represents merely the beginning of the peacebuilding process, requiring full and long-term support to truly solidify stability and foster reconciliation.
Advocacy for Peace and Development
The United Nations supported Sierra Leone through processes of disarmament, elections, and peacebuilding, President Bio noted, as he addressed the General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. This historical support, he suggested, serves as a testament to the potential of multilateral institutions when they function effectively and with purpose. The Assembly's theme, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All,” provided a fitting framework for his remarks, allowing him to articulate his vision for a more equitable and effective global order. President Bio called for the consistent application of international law across the globe, asserting that adherence to established legal frameworks is fundamental for maintaining global peace and security and ensuring justice for all nations. He stressed that selective application of international law erodes trust and undermines the very principles upon which the United Nations was founded.
Regarding the Middle East, President Bio urged for the protection of civilians, unimpeded humanitarian access, and respect for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, envisioning a viable Palestinian state coexisting with Israel in peace and security. He called upon all parties to engage in constructive dialogue aimed at achieving a lasting and just resolution to the long-standing conflict. He also advocated for diplomatic progress on nuclear disarmament, stressing the urgent need to reduce the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction through multilateral negotiations and verifiable agreements. The President showed that the proliferation of nuclear weapons represents an unacceptable risk to humanity and that concerted efforts are required to move towards a world free of such dangers. Domestically, President Bio noted several priorities of his government, showcasing Sierra Leone's commitment to internal development and social progress. These include the Feed Salone initiative, aimed at ensuring food security for all citizens, the Free Quality School Education program, which seeks to provide accessible and high-standard education, and Sierra Leone’s 2024 Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, a significant legislative step towards protecting the rights and futures of young girls.
President Bio illustrated the impacts of climate change by describing families in Shenge who witness the sea claiming land, fishing grounds, and ancestral graves. He painted a vivid picture of the immediate and devastating consequences of climate change on vulnerable coastal communities, emphasizing that for these communities, climate change is not a distant threat but a daily reality. This personal account showed the urgency of global action to mitigate climate change and support adaptation efforts in frontline communities. He concluded his address by urging the Assembly to consider appointing a woman as the next UN Secretary-General, advocating for greater gender parity and diverse leadership at the highest levels of global governance.
Reforming Global Institutions
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio asserted that the UN Security Council continues to reflect the power structure established in 1945, a structure he argued is outdated and no longer representative of the contemporary global landscape. He noted that Africa, a continent home to more than 1.6 billion people, currently holds no permanent seat on the UN Security Council, despite its significant contributions to global peace and security and its growing geopolitical importance. This absence, he contended, represents a profound democratic deficit within the UN's most powerful body. The President noted that the Common African Position advocates for at least two permanent African seats and five non-permanent seats on the Security Council to address this imbalance, ensuring that the continent's voice and perspectives are adequately represented in decisions affecting global peace and security. Sierra Leone is presently serving a 2024–2025 term on the Security Council, giving President Bio's call for reform additional weight and direct relevance to the Council's ongoing work.
During his address, President Bio referenced a UN General Assembly resolution spearheaded by Ghana concerning the trafficking and enslavement of Africans. He specifically mentioned Bunce Island, from which thousands of Africans were forcibly transported into enslavement, serving as a poignant reminder of historical injustices and the enduring legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. This reference showed the importance of acknowledging historical wrongs and addressing their contemporary impacts. President Bio also sought support for Sierra Leone’s nominee, Professor Charles Chernor Jalloh, in the upcoming November election for a judge of the International Court of Justice, emphasizing the importance of diverse and qualified representation on international judicial bodies.
Economic and Environmental Concerns
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio cautioned that the global transition to cleaner energy must prioritize the creation of employment opportunities and foster new industries within nations that are suppliers of critical minerals. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the benefits of this shift are equitably distributed, particularly to those countries whose resources fuel the green economy. This approach, he suggested, would help these countries build sustainable economic futures while contributing to global climate goals. He stressed that a just transition is not merely an environmental imperative but also an economic and social one, requiring careful planning and international cooperation to prevent new forms of exploitation. President Bio’s statement showed the need for a just transition that supports economic development and diversification in mineral-rich nations, preventing them from being solely extractive economies. He argued that these countries must be empowered to process and add value to their raw materials, thereby building strong domestic industries and creating lasting prosperity for their populations, rather than remaining at the bottom of global supply chains. This vision for a green economy, he concluded, must be inclusive and beneficial for all, especially for those nations providing the foundational resources for a sustainable future.