An International Meeting in Monrovia - 23 March 2018
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(Monrovia, March 23, 2018) — Liberia is at a crossroads of opportunity. A new President, H.E. George Manneh Weah, assumed office in January, and the peacekeeping mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) ends next week.
Today, Liberians and the international community came together to recognize the contributions made by UNMIL to Liberia’s peace and security, acknowledging the progress of Liberia’s quest to entrench its democracy, and evaluating lessons learned and steps forward as the new Government charts a path to a future of sustaining peace and sustainable development.
The Liberia Moment was a time to reflect on not only the achievements of UNMIL’s efforts, but the people behind the Mission, both civilian and uniformed, particularly those who gave their lives in the line of United Nations duty while serving in Liberia. Over its 14 years, UNMIL became a trusted and reliable partner to the people of Liberia.
As UNMIL draws to a close and officially ends its mandate 30 March 2018, the Government and the people of Liberia, and the international community commend the contributions UNMIL made to this country.
While UNMIL’s departure is an important milestone signifying the country’s post-civil war progress, the United Nations reassures Liberians that it is still here to accompany the effort to transform Liberia. Maintaining a strong presence in the country, sixteen United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes will remain engaged in Liberia and as One UN, will all co-locate at the United Nations House, the former UNMIL Headquarters, on Tubman Boulevard.
The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, H.E. Amina J. Mohammed said, “The launch of this extensive consultation process is a very promising start. I call upon all the people of Liberia to seize this opportunity to express their needs and voice their views and concerns and help define the future they want for Liberia.
I also urge donor countries to continue to invest in Liberia and to stand by this country as it lifts itself out of conflict and poverty into a brighter day. The international community must continue to demonstrate its commitment to Liberians who have done so much to help themselves over the past fifteen years.”
In his address, President George Weah recommitted to good governance, fighting corruption, promoting transparency and encouraging an investment climate that welcomes new entrants, foreign and domestic. The administration’s pro-poor growth will seek to benefit the vulnerable, promote inclusion and will be inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals. Looking forward, the President proposed holding a series of stakeholder consultations to finalize his Government’s vision for a National Development Agenda addressing poverty in Liberia and aiming to uplift the economic status of the poor and vulnerable, most notably the women and the youth.
Participants stressed that a conscientious application of a gender perspective unlocking the capacity of the entire population, men and women alike, is not only fair, it also makes profound economic sense. Delegations attending the event affirmed their commitment to stay the course and continue the journey alongside the Liberian people and Government as the country moves to consolidate its democracy, pursue prosperity for all, and protect the environment through the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.