Amujae Leader and Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has recently received global acknowledgment for her leadership in the drive for sustainable development, as well as her tireless work in support of local action against climate change.

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr has been invited to join the newly established Global Commission for the Independent Review of the Economics of Water.

The Commission includes 12 members and is co-chaired by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization. Its work focuses on applying an economics lens to the global water challenge, and aims to tackle issues around access to safe and sustainable water sources.

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s role in rallying local stakeholders around the global Sustainable Development Goals has also been acknowledged by the UN’s Local2030 Coalition. Inviting her to become a member of its Steering Committee, the co-chairs of the Coalition highlighted her ability to provide strategic leadership and governance oversight.

The Local2030 Coalition aims to bring the needs of those most affected by sustainability challenges to the forefront of global action by engaging local leaders in driving the sustainable development agenda.

Reacting to the announcements, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr said: 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on global platforms, conscious that will bring local benefits to the fight against climate change and the improvement of lives here in Freetown.”