By B. Linus Flomo
The Resident Coordinator in Liberia, Christine Umutoni, along with Heads of UN Agencies in the country, held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, on the upcoming UN Summit of the Future thereby discussing other pressing priorities and opportunities for partnership.
In a significant stride toward enhancing the collaborative efforts between the United Nations and the Government of Liberia, a high-level meeting held yesterday was part of the regular quarterly consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), underscored the commitment of both parties to work closely on various critical issues facing Liberia.
Meanwhile, the summit is expected to address global challenges and future directions for international cooperation, with a particular focus on how Liberia can leverage this platform to further its development goals.
Another pivotal point on the agenda was the UN’s support for establishing the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia.
This initiative is seen as a crucial step in addressing past human rights abuses and ensuring justice and accountability and the UN’s technical and logistical support is anticipated to play a vital role in the successful establishment and operation of this court.
The meeting also explored the UN’s assistance with the Liberian government’s diaspora engagement efforts. Recognizing the significant contributions of the Liberian diaspora to national development, the discussion centered on strategies to enhance these contributions through better engagement and integration.
The participants reviewed recommendations for next steps, ensuring a structured and actionable plan for the discussed initiatives.
The dialogue was characterized by a spirit of cooperation and mutual commitment to advancing Liberia’s development agenda while both parties expressed optimism about the outcomes of the meeting and reiterated their dedication to fostering a robust partnership.
The outcomes of this meeting are expected to pave the way for significant progress in the areas discussed, benefiting the people of Liberia and strengthening the nation’s global standing.
Minister of Internal Affairs Criticizes Past Regime for Neglecting Liberia’s Economic and Political Crisis
At the 5th Africa-China Local Government Cooperation Forum, Francis Nyumalin, Liberia’s Minister of Internal Affairs, delivered a scathing critique of the previous administration’s failure to address the country’s deepening economic and political woes.
Nyumalin, who recently traveled to China for the forum, condemned the former government for its inaction over the last six years, describing Liberia as a “vacuum” in Africa due to the absence of effective governance. This neglect, he argued, has left the nation stagnant and underdeveloped.
In his address, the minister praised China for being Liberia’s most significant partner, acknowledging the extensive cooperation between the two nations in various sectors of the Liberian economy. Nonetheless, he stressed the urgent need for further efforts to tackle the country’s severe challenges.
The forum, jointly organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Guangdong Provincial People’s Government, gathered leaders from China and African countries to explore topics such as industrial cooperation, personnel training, and digital innovation.
The event aimed to foster cooperation and exchange between local governments from both regions.
