𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐢𝐨 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 𝐀𝐭 𝐈𝐄𝐀 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭

President Julius Maada Bio on May 14 delivered the keynote address at the first-ever Clean Cooking Summit in Paris, France.

The President said on his social media platform that, “I was honoured to deliver the keynote address at the first-ever Clean Cooking Summit in Paris. I outlined my government’s strategic initiatives to prioritise access to clean cooking. I applauded the IEA and African Development Bank for their investments in the health and future of our women, our communities, and our planet. This summit will heighten awareness of the need for access to clean cooking in Africa and the need for governments and international partners to collaborate closely.”

See the full text of his statement below

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

It gives me great pleasure to participate in this historic, first-ever global Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa.

I am particularly heartened that my dear sister, President Samia Hassan, is co-chairing this Summit alongside three distinguished individuals: Prime Minister Store, Dr. Adesina, and Dr. Birol, whose leadership and commitment to this cause are truly commendable.

I wish to commend the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the African Development Bank Group for convening the Summit.

The urgency of our task is underscored by the IEA’s analysis, which reveals that nearly one in five Africans still cook their meals over open fires and traditional stoves.

Shockingly, 900 million Africans lack access to clean cooking fuels, a number projected to increase by 2030 if we do not act swiftly and decisively.

Regrettably, our past experiences have revealed a disheartening truth ─ Clean Cooking, a matter of utmost importance, is often overlooked in our energy access and electrification planning processes in our countries.

Today’s Summit is a call to action, a plea to prioritize this crucial issue for the betterment of our people and our planet.

This Summit calls on all of us to act big and boldly if we are to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7.

We cannot achieve our Global Net-Zero Target without a robust effort to address access to clean cooking solutions in Africa and South Asia in particular.

Therefore, we must be bold enough to implement the right policies and create the enabling environment to ensure that the close to 1 billion people currently lacking access to clean cooking in Africa can transition to cleaner fuels and technologies.

EXCELLENCIES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

In the context of Sierra Leone, the 2023 SDG Tracking Report shows that Sierra Leone’s access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking was at only 0.8% in 2021, with 1.5% of the population in urban areas having access and 0% in rural areas with access.

The absence of access to clean cooking solutions significantly affects Sierra Leone’s economy, with estimated annual costs of inaction totalling US$4.7 billion.

These costs stem from adverse impacts on various fronts: women’s lost productivity (US$1.4 billion), health (US$3.2 billion), and climate change impacts (US$0.2 billion).

So, this Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa to Make 2024 a Turning Point for Clean Cooking is critical for Sierra Leone, and hence my presence here today.

My Government recognizes the importance of access to clean cooking and is committed to taking bold steps 9 9 because it is the right thing to do for our people.

We have mainstreamed clean cooking in our energy planning processes, and I am pleased to inform this August Body that in the third quarter of this year, we will finalise the following key policy instruments and initiatives to address clean cooking issues:

– With the support of Sustainable Energy for All, we will complete a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition Plan or Green Growth Plan, which includes access to clean cooking as a major pillar. With the support of the World Bank, a Clean Cooking Strategy and Action Plan will be completed by June.

– With the support of the Clean Cooking Alliance, we are establishing the Clean Cooking Delivery Unit embedded within the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security.

– We are establishing a Climate Finance and Energy Innovation Hub, which the OPEC Fund for International Development will sponsor.

– Furthermore, with the support of the University of Loughborough and the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS), we will commence a techno economic study and readiness assessment for electric cooking in urban areas, similar to work done in Uganda, Kenya, and Mozambique.

As a country susceptible to the harsh realities of Climate Change, we are committed to building climate resilience and gradually transitioning to green growth.

Notably, we are working on strategic policy instruments, including a National Climate Change Act and a set of regulations for Climate Finance to protect our forests, provide an enabling environment for investments in climate resilience and alternative livelihoods and create a transparent and credible carbon trading system that will leverage our abundant green assets.

EXCELLENCIES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

I acknowledge the commitment and leadership of my fellow African leaders. Several nations across the continent are taking bold steps toward clean cooking, setting ambitious targets, and working with the Clean Cooking Alliance to establish delivery units and enable more carbon finance and private sector investments in the sector.

We recognise that each country’s transition journey is different and must be respected.

Progress has already been made, and more is possible with our collective efforts. It requires strong commitment and action, political will, and adequate resources.

The IEA estimates that we need about US$4 billion a year in investment to solve our challenges and ensure universal clean cooking access by 2030.

Today, we have a unique opportunity to change the trajectory of clean cooking for all, especially for our Women who have been the most disenfranchised.

You are here because you want to make a difference. Let us join hands together and make a difference, change lives, and protect our environment.

Let Us Make 2024 a Turning Point for Clean Cooking in Africa.

Thank you for your attention.