H.E. Julius Maada Bio is the fifth President of Sierra Leone, re-elected in 2023. He has prioritised education, food security, and key governance reforms, including repealing seditious libel laws and promoting gender equality. In 2025, he became Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), focusing on democracy, security, and integration. He also led Sierra Leone to the UN Security Council (2024–2025) and presided over its August 2024 session. Internationally recognised, he is the African Union’s lead on UN reform and a recipient of several leadership awards.
President Bio’s visit to the Geneva Graduate Institute comes as West Africa navigates complex security challenges, democratic transitions, and evolving regional dynamics, the role of ECOWAS remains central to peacebuilding, stability, and economic integration. Drawing on his leadership at both national and regional levels, his lecture reflected on ECOWAS' response to political and security crises, its engagement with Sahel states, and its efforts to strengthen peace, democratic governance, and development across the region.
President Bio was welcomed by Marie-Laure Salles, Director of the Geneva Graduate Institute. His lecture was followed by a conversation with Institute professors Stephanie Hofmann and Delidji Eric Degila, and students, Adebowale Dimka Salako and Gaia Mancini. The event concluded with questions from the audience.
Director’s Global Leadership for Peace Series
This event is part of the Director’s Global Leadership for Peace Series, which features leading global decision-makers, from heads of international organisations to senior government and business leaders, sharing insights on today’s most pressing international challenges.
