Liberia and Ireland have highlighted agriculture, education, and expanding trade, as crucial priorities to strengthening their bilateral relations.
The Charge d’affaires of the Embassy of Ireland to the United Kingdom, Gerald Considine, hailed Liberia’s recent democratic transition and vowed support for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s national development agenda.
Considine commended the people of Liberia for their 2023 democratic and peaceful elections that ushered in President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
He indicated the optimism around the development agenda (The ARREST Agenda), focusing on Liberia’s development aid for education and agriculture initiatives.
The five-year strategy of Ireland, according to Considine, will highlight expanding trade with Africa, as well as broadening the conversation around trade through the EU Liberia Business forum.
The Irish educational development, a partnership delivering post graduate education- benefiting 16 Liberians students, saw the scheme extended to the agriculture ministry for the first time.
He stressed the importance of mutually beneficial links around agriculture exports and food security.
For her part, Amb. Gibson-Schwarz of Liberia hailed the commitment and standing ties between Liberia and Ireland.
She stressed the importance of knowledge transfer as critical in driving relations between the two countries. She emphasized the importance of exploring new avenues for greater outcomes.
The Liberian ambassador also thanked the Irish Government for their continuous support and active participation during Liberia’s election period, and their part in defending women’s rights and contribution to the fight against gender-based violence and the education sector.
There were discussions on how Liberia can aid, support, and promote the Irish government’s involvement in the education sector to expand their initiatives and programs in Liberia.
She applauded the Irish Government’s partnership and support, calling for skills training and educational opportunities to be extended to other government ministries, especially in the areas of tourism and commerce.
She also praised Ireland’s individual development projects and vision articulated at the Africa-Ireland Economic Forum held in Dublin.
