FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, 9th June 2026 –Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has urged the international community to refocus its engagement with fragile states on building resilience, strengthening public institutions and creating employment opportunities for young people, warning that shifting global dynamics are placing increasing pressure on developing economies.
Speaking virtually at the World Bank Fragility Forum 2026, Dr. Jalloh said Sierra Leone’s experience demonstrated that sustainable development depended on partnerships that delivered long-term institutional capacity rather than short-term interventions.
“International support in fragile settings must focus on building resilience, strengthening institutions, and creating jobs for young people,” he said, adding that “as aid flows decline, geopolitical competition intensifies, and climate shocks become more frequent, the challenge before us is not only how to finance development, but how to sustain the gains we have already made.”
The Vice President further underscored the need for practical, results-oriented collaboration between governments and development partners, stating that “the task ahead is to ensure that our partnerships deliver practical solutions that improve lives and expand opportunity for every Sierra Leonean.”
The annual World Bank Fragility Forum convenes global policymakers, development practitioners and governance specialists to examine solutions for countries affected by conflict, economic shocks and institutional fragility.
Dr. Jalloh, whose public service has included leading national governance reforms, peacebuilding initiatives and development coordination, joined the discussions as governments and international institutions seek more effective approaches to sustaining development gains amid evolving global economic, security and climate challenges.