Atlantic Hotel, Freetown, 23 September 2025 – Sierra Leone has officially launched the preparation of its Fifth National Human Development Report (NHDR), with Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams, urging stakeholders to approach the process with commitment, creativity, and a spirit of national ownership. The three-day inception workshop, held at the Atlantic Hotel in Freetown, brings together government institutions, civil society, academia, development partners, and the private sector to deliberate on the scope, priorities, and theme of the report, which will be published in 2026.
In his opening statement, Dr. Titus-Williams described the workshop as a “convergence of bright minds” and stressed that the NHDR is not just another publication but a vital tool to shape Sierra Leone’s development journey. He recalled that the country has produced four previous human development reports, the most recent in 2019 under the theme Building Resilience for Sustainable Development, which documented national recovery efforts in the aftermath of the Ebola epidemic, economic collapse, and the devastating 2017 mudslide.
The Deputy Minister noted that the Fifth Report will be strategically aligned with Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030). Its purpose, he said, is to assess progress through the lens of human potential, emphasizing health, education, livelihoods, freedoms, and choices—going beyond economic growth as the sole measure of development. “This is our opportunity to shape a report that reflects the realities of our people and inspires bold actions for a brighter future,” he declared as he officially opened the workshop.
UNDP Sierra Leone’s Representative, Mr. George Baratashvili, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the process. He explained that Human Development Reports, produced globally since 1990, are “knowledge instruments” designed to inform policy, stimulate debate, and expand people’s capabilities. He highlighted that 34 global reports have been produced to date, addressing themes such as inequality, climate change, human security, and digital transformation, with the Human Development Index (HDI) serving as a key benchmark for countries’ progress.
Between 2006 and 2019, Sierra Leone produced four national reports, each addressing critical aspects of human development. The upcoming fifth edition will provide an in-depth analysis of a yet-to-be-determined theme, supported by both qualitative and quantitative evidence. It is expected to strengthen the country’s statistical capacity, introduce innovative approaches to data generation, and develop localized measures of human development to better capture disparities across regions and social groups.
“This development process must be nationally owned, rooted in evidence, and guided by the voices of Sierra Leone’s communities,” Mr. Baratashvili stressed. He further encouraged participants to contribute openly, reflect on past and present development challenges, and work together to design transformative and actionable solutions.
In closing, both the Ministry and UNDP underscored that the NHDR is not a one-off publication but a living tool intended to foster national dialogue, influence policy reforms, and strengthen partnerships. By the end of the workshop, participants are expected to have identified a clear theme for the report, ensuring it reflects Sierra Leone’s most pressing development priorities while advancing the goals of the Medium-Term National Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals.
