By Grace Bryant Mollay
The government is set to host a high-level national retreat this Thursday to reassess and realign its flagship development strategy, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AARD) in response to shifting global aid trends and reduced donor support.
Organized by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), in partnership with the United Nations and Swedish partners, the strategic retreat aims to evaluate progress made since the launch of the ARD and chart a path forward amid declining foreign assistance, notably cuts from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Speaking at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing, the Deputy Minister for Economic Management at MFDP, Dephue Zuo, said the retreat comes at a critical time as Liberia seeks to mobilize innovative financing and strengthen partnerships.
He noted that the AARD was designed to be inclusive and multifaceted, with projected funding from traditional donors (30%), the private sector (30%), the diaspora (10%), and the Liberian government (30%).
“Global development headwinds have created significant financing gaps. This retreat is about taking stock—what has worked, what hasn’t, and how we can re-purpose and realign our resources. We are also focusing on deeper private sector engagement and new partnerships,” Zuo stated.
The retreat will convene a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives from the United Nations, diplomatic corps, civil society, and the private sector.
President Joseph Boakai will chair the session, underscoring its significance to Liberia’s national development agenda.
The government officials say, is its bottom-up approach. Since its launch in May 2024, consultations have been held across Liberia’s 73 districts, shaping a development framework rooted in grassroots input.
A key feature is the integration of county development plans with national priorities—ushering in decentralized governance under the Local Government Act.
The retreat will also address critical funding shortfalls caused by donor withdrawals, especially USAID’s exit from key sectors such as health and education. “We will examine who steps up where USAID stepped out,” Zuo said.
The government will highlight a new domestic revenue-sharing scheme, allocating 40% of locally generated revenue to remain within counties to support local priorities.
Amid tightening global aid, Liberia is expanding its network of development partners. Recent missions to Kuwait, and outreach to countries like Brazil and Australia, are part of efforts to explore alternative financing, particularly for infrastructure.
The retreat is also timed with the preparation of the national budget recast and the 2026 national budget, which will be closely aligned with AARD priorities and sectoral needs impacted by aid reductions.
“We see this retreat as a coordinated accountability session—an opportunity to enhance transparency and build trust. The ARD is not just a government initiative; it is a social compact with the Liberian people,” Zuo concluded.
UN Resident Coordinator in Liberia, Christine Umutoni, emphasized the importance of the April 17 retreat, which will be held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Monrovia while she and the Swedish Ambassador will co-chair the event alongside President Boakai.
“The UN’s role is to coordinate the work of UN agencies not to manage bilateral relations. Our support aligns with Liberia’s own national development priorities,” Umutoni said.
She praised Liberia’s resilience in the face of crises such as Ebola and COVID-19, attributing much of the success to the efforts of community health workers and the broader Liberian population.
Umutoni expressed confidence in Liberia’s ability to manage its development journey, noting that the end of the UN peacekeeping mission was a result of the country’s capacity to maintain its own peace. “Young people especially are committed to sustaining peace. That’s why this retreat is so important—it offers a platform for inclusive dialogue and mutual accountability.”
She highlighted the retreat’s significance in driving Liberia’s goal of transitioning from a low-income to a lower-middle-income country through national ownership and inclusive development.
Despite shrinking global aid, Umutoni said the retreat offers an opportunity to explore innovative financing options and deepen partnerships.
The participation of key global figures—including the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on Africa and the UNDP Regional Director—signals strong international attention.
“Liberia has demonstrated strong leadership in its quick response to donor changes. This retreat is a moment to reaffirm shared responsibility and commitment to transformation. We are proud to stand with Liberia,” she added.
Swedish Ambassador Karl Backeus echoed the importance of the retreat in fostering meaningful dialogue among the government, civil society, the private sector, and development partners.
He acknowledged the impact of the shifting global aid landscape and called for more effective utilization of available resources.
“Sweden remains a committed partner, though resources are limited. The private sector must play a greater role, and national ownership is critical,” Backeus said.
He stressed that while the retreat is a key milestone, sustained follow-up and collective responsibility are essential to achieving lasting progress.
Gov’t, Partners To Host Development Retreat
