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By Amos Harris As the United Nations celebrates its 80th anniversary, Liberia has reaffirmed its enduring commitment to global peace, multilateral cooperation, and institutional reform, renewing its founding legacy as one of the original signatories to the UN Charter in 1945. Speaking at the high-level session of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York last September, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai urged world leaders to uphold the principles of multilateralism, emphasizing that “a reversal of multilateralism is not an option for a just and peaceful world.” President Boakai’s message reflects Liberia’s historic standing as one of the first African voices to join the global peace body. It underscores the country’s unwavering advocacy for reform, inclusivity, and international cooperation. Liberia’s recent election to the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term marks a significant diplomatic achievement—its first full term since the UN’s establishment. For a nation that has overcome years of conflict and instability, this milestone symbolizes both national resilience and a renewed pledge to global peacebuilding. According to Christine N. Umutoni, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia, the country’s return to the Council highlights Africa’s growing leadership in international decision-making. “Africa is no longer spoken for; it speaks for itself,” Ms. Umutoni stated, stressing Liberia’s support for the African Union’s demand for two permanent seats with veto power and two additional non-permanent seats for the continent on the Security Council. President Boakai echoed this sentiment, asserting that while Liberia holds the seat, it represents the voice and aspirations of Africa as a whole. He emphasized that fairness and legitimacy must be central to any future Security Council reform. At the national level, Liberia continues to shape its policies around inclusivity, sustainability, and accountability under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID)—a framework focused on agriculture, roads, education, sanitation, and tourism. With nearly 60 percent of its population under 25, the Boakai administration is prioritizing youth empowerment, access to quality education, and job creation. Simultaneously, Liberia is expanding opportunities for women, supporting rural livelihoods, and investing in climate-resilient growth. Ms. Umutoni noted that the United Nations in Liberia, having transitioned from peacekeeping to peacebuilding and sustainable development, continues to align its programs with the government’s priorities. Under the forthcoming UN Cooperation Framework (2026–2030), both sides will emphasize long-term, community-driven progress. President Boakai has positioned climate action as a national and global priority, calling for the full implementation of the Paris Agreement and equitable climate financing that considers the disproportionate burden faced by low-emission nations like Liberia. He also renewed Liberia’s call for reform of the international financial system, advocating a transition from aid dependency to self-reliance through innovative financing mechanisms such as green bonds, diaspora investments, and gender-responsive budgeting. “African economies must be treated not as risks to be managed but as partners to be trusted,” Ms. Umutoni remarked. As part of its commitment to inclusive modernization, Liberia supports the Global Digital Compact, an international effort to ensure fairness, privacy, and access in the digital age. The government is investing in digital education and entrepreneurship to prepare young Liberians for leadership in a rapidly changing global economy. The upcoming “Pact for the Future,” which will guide the next stage of UN reform, seeks to build a more inclusive and accountable organization. Liberia has pledged to play an active role in shaping this transformation. Eighty years after helping to establish the United Nations, Liberia stands as a testament to resilience, reform, and the enduring belief that peace and progress begin at home. In his address at the UN General Assembly, President Boakai reaffirmed Liberia’s global mission: “Liberia aims to be a bridge to peace, a development partner, and a defender of human rights.” As the UN enters its ninth decade, Liberia’s journey from post-war recovery to regional leadership underscores its place as both a beneficiary and builder of peace. “Liberia is no longer merely a receiver of peace,” Ms. Umutoni said. “It is now one of its builders, shaping a future where multilateralism works for all.”
