The prestigious World Bank Land Conference kicked off in Washington D.C., bringing together key stakeholders and experts in the land space to discuss pressing issues related to land tenure and access for climate action.
The conference theme, “Securing Land Tenure and Access for Climate Action,” highlights the crucial role of land governance in addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation.
During the opening day of the conference, Minister Turad Senesie of Sierra Leone was identified and selected to represent Africa on the Global Panel to discuss successes, good practices, and challenges facing land administration in the region.
This Global Land Governance and Policy Forum is the first high-level forum of its kind organised at the World Bank Land Conference.
Minister Senesie, who was introduced as a widely acclaimed disciplined professional with vast experience in participatory approaches for research and training, plus excellent facilitation and communication skills, brought valuable insights and perspectives to the discussion.
In the panel discussion, Minister Turad Senesie shared the progress made by Sierra Leone in strengthening land administration and securing tenure rights. He highlighted the historic enactment of the Customary Land Rights Act and National Land Commission Act in 2022 as foundational steps towards improved land governance in the country. These legislative milestones would paved the way for enhanced land administration and systematic registration of land rights in Sierra Leone.
When asked about the process involved in drafting and enacting the progressive legislation, Minister Senesie outlined a comprehensive approach that included stakeholder consultations, formulation processes, and approval by relevant ministries, civil society, paramount chiefs and government bodies. He emphasized the importance of building a strong legal and institutional framework to address long-standing tensions around customary land rights and establish clear pathways for land administration reforms.
Minister Turad Senesie’s responses shed light on Sierra Leone’s dedication to promoting secure tenure and good land governance as integral components of sustainable development. His leadership and commitment to land reforms exemplify the collaborative efforts needed to drive positive change in land administration practices.
A moment that heightened the conference land mark was when Minister Turad Senesie was asked by the moderator: what was the driving force behind the success of legislative reforms in Sierra. Minister Turad Senesie attributed Sierra Leone’s success to the micro and macro level alignments to that of the country’s development aspirations.
At the micro level, Dr. Senesie thrilled the audience that political leadership is a major factor for land reforms in any country and for the Sierra Leone success, the Presidency is committed to the reform process, and at the same time creating space for all including civil society to be part of the process.
At the macro level, Minister Turad Senesie urged the World Bank and other global actors and organisations to continue engagements and financial support to enhance speedy reforms in sub-saharan Africa.
On Friday, Minister Turad Senesie is again scheduled to be a panelist on the high-level Africa Ministerial Round Table Discussions themed: The Future of Land Administration in Africa.
As the World Bank Land Conference progresses, Minister Turad Senesie’s participation in the Global Panel serves as a testament to Africa’s commitment to addressing pressing land governance challenges and advances towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.
The conference continues to provide a platform for fruitful discussions, knowledge sharing, and cooperation among diverse stakeholders in the land sector, as they work towards achieving common goals of securing land tenure and promoting climate action.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the World Bank Land Conference as leaders and experts come together to pave the way for innovative solutions and transformative actions in land governance and administration.
