Africa-Press – Liberia. He emphasized the importance of pursuing bilateral and multilateral relationships that advance Liberia’s development agenda.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, speaking at the launch of the Ambassador George W. Wallace Ambassadorial Lecture and Seminar Series, said Liberia must reset its foreign policy to confront shifting global dynamics, particularly in a world where international aid is diminishing.
The lecture series, organized by the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute, was held in the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event also marked President Boakai’s first official visit to the Foreign Ministry since taking office.
The launch drew high-level attendees, including Beng’yela Augustine GANG, Ambassador of Cameroon and Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, along with senior government officials and international development partners.
Addressing a gathering of emerging and career diplomats, President Boakai reflected on Liberia’s historic role as a founding member of the United Nations, the African Union, and other regional bodies. However, he noted that the country’s 14-year civil crisis pushed it to the brink of collapse and weakened its international presence.
“It is time we send knowledgeable individuals into our foreign missions to restore Liberia’s global image,” President Boakai declared. “This includes the strategic placement of well-trained and competent personnel in all our missions, enhancing economic and cultural diplomacy, and leveraging the skills of our people in areas such as hospitality, cultural exchange, and people-to-people contact.”
He emphasized the importance of pursuing bilateral and multilateral relationships that advance Liberia’s development agenda.
“We shall continue to remain relevant in international affairs, consistent with our campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council,” he said. “Our goal is to strategically position Liberia within ECOWAS and other regional and international organizations to amplify our voice and leadership, while benefiting from collective approaches to shared challenges.”
President Boakai said Liberia’s diplomats should be equipped to attract investment through sector-specific frameworks, public-private partnerships, and investment protection mechanisms, as well as infrastructure development to support regional integration.
He also called on foreign service personnel to promote trade development by negotiating market access agreements, reducing trade barriers, and supporting export promotion programs that facilitate cross-border commerce.
“Liberia’s foreign policy framework must be carefully calibrated to navigate an increasingly complex global environment while advancing national interests,” the President said. “The implementation of this comprehensive approach through the ARREST Agenda will help Liberia maximize the benefits of international cooperation while upholding the principles of peaceful coexistence and good neighborliness.”
Highlighting agriculture, President Boakai said his administration will seek partnerships to modernize the sector, ensure food security through regional cooperation, and promote value-added exports. “We will pursue strategic partnerships with advanced farming nations to enhance productivity and achieve food self-sufficiency,” he said.
On infrastructure, the President stressed the need to develop regional transport corridors and modern port facilities, with a focus on reducing aid dependence.
Touching on national and regional security, President Boakai said Liberia’s strategic framework requires a comprehensive and integrated approach to address both traditional and emerging threats, especially in light of instability in the Sahel region.
“As a post-conflict nation in a complex regional environment, Liberia must develop robust security mechanisms while strengthening cooperation with its neighbors,” he noted.
The framework, he explained, emphasizes joint border management, intelligence sharing, economic development in vulnerable areas, and coordinated diplomatic engagement to ensure both national and regional stability.
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