N’Karimu Kamara
Sierra Leone Telegraph: 10 July 2016
Following his recent engagement with US Law makers, Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP)’s presidential flag-bearer aspirant – Kandeh Yumkella, departed for Beijing, China, for a high-level meeting on the South-South Cooperation Taskforce.
The two-day event which brought together a large number of dignitaries was co-chaired by Dr. Gu Xueming, President of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation (CAITEC) and Dr. Yumkella.
Speaking from Beijing on the purpose of the high-level conference, Dr. Yumkella noted that, the aim was simple. “Our role was to provide strategic guidance and coordination for a series of on-going studies aimed at producing a roadmap and policy recommendations for China’s South-South Cooperation on ecological civilization. The roadmap and recommendations will be presented to the Premier and the Annual General Meeting of CCICED at the end of the year,” he said.
As international co-chair of the Taskforce which is part of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), Dr. Yumkella further noted that the South-South co-operation is also meant to guide China’s efforts in sharing its development experience, advanced technology and scientific research results with other countries.
In 2014, Yumkella proposed the new Triangular Cooperation Model for Africa at CCIECD.
Established in 1992 with the approval of the Chinese Government, China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) is a high level not-for-profit international advisory body, composed of high level Chinese and international figures and well-known experts in the field of environment and development.
The main tasks of CCICED are: to exchange and disseminate successful international experience in the field of environment and development; study key environment and development issues of China; provide forward-looking, strategic and early warning policy recommendations to State leaders and decision makers of all levels in China; as well as to facilitating the implementation of sustainable development strategy and the development of resource-saving and environment-friendly society in China.
The Chairperson of CCICED is the leader of the State Council, including the Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China and is supported by senior ministers from the environment, foreign affairs and commerce.
Dr. Yumkella has been a member of CCICED for about eight years, providing inputs for the 12th and 13th Five-year development plans of China.
Dr. Yumkella has also had a productive partnership with China, spanning over a decade. During his tenure as Director-General of UNIDO, technical cooperation with China expanded to over $100 million in industrial pollution control, including eradication of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), ozone depleting substances as part of the Montreal Protocol, and hazardous medical waste.
Yumkella also helped to establish the $40 million Solar Research Center in Gansu province, Western China, and expanded the China small hydropower international cooperation programme. He also led the expansion of the UNIDO-China south-south cooperation.
Impressive! Sulaiman, your comment is commendable.
Indeed, it’s such individual that direct and advice nations on developmental issues for the betterment of all.
Sierra Leone is no longer in need of grass-root politician, but rather, international payers like Dr. Yumkella. Take for example, Dr. Siaka P. Stevens (Late) and the current Head of State, Dr. Ernest Koroma – considered grass-root politicians, and compare them with Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Tejan Kabba.
Our grass-root politicians are only rooted in corruption and nepotism as against national development. The minds of Sierra Leone’s grass-root politicians believe in thuggery and hooliganism to stay in power. They want power at all cost.
Development largely depends on policy designs and recommendation, but should not be limited to national policies only. And politicians with little to no policy issues cannot lead the present Sierra Leone to sustainable development strategies.
Sierra Leoneans, this time , need to show their level of civilization and readiness to development and not favoritism as it used to be. Let us favor our country this time and not individuals.
Sierra Leone now needs international players for her development and not mediocre people who will only depend on our natural resources for their personal wealth.
Wake up Sierra Leoneans wake up!!!!!!!