UN & Private Sector Dialogue held in Monrovia

The UN and the Representatives of the Private Sector in Liberia held a one-day roundtable dialogue on August 23, 2022, at the Monrovia City Hall. The dialogue brought together UN agencies in Liberia, Liberia Chamber of Commerce, Liberia Business Association, Golden Veroleum, ArcelorMittal, MTN/Lonestar, Orange Foundation and Bollore Logistics. 

This dialogue, which was the first of its kind since 2003, sought to proactively seek opportunities for cooperation and partnerships with the private sector; create the opportunity for exchanges on UN functions and the Private Sector Contribution to SDG implementation; and discuss innovation in UN and Private Sector partnerships.

Mr. Niels Scott, Resident Coordinator of the UN system in Liberia, opened the occasion with his remarks noting,  “the UN and the Private Sector have many points of convergence of what the UN and the Private sector do and common interest to help the people of Liberia”. Mr. Scott continued by stating  that in the past few years, everyone had come to realize that there are "considerable challenges including Covid, economic challenges, livelihood, poverty and inequality as well as climate change which is going to affect all”. He concluded by emphasizing that  we all  need to ensure that all of these goals(our common goals) are achieving universal healthcare, achieving universal internet coverage; etc, - "all of these are something I believe we can work out together”, the Resident Coordinator said.

For his part, Mr. Ahmed S. Wazni, the first Vice President of the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, applauded the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN family in Liberia for organizing this dialogue which was the first since the end of the civil conflict in Liberia. Mr. Wazni said that “The Private Sector in Libera knows very little of the work of the United Nations and its Agencies in Liberia, which makes it difficult if not impossible to collaborate and partner for sustainable development. the dialogue today presents a window of opportunity for the UN and private sector to chart a new course for collaboration”. Mr. Wazni furthered that “countries around the world, with Liberia being no exception, are faced with many challenges compounded by the COVID 19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Given Liberia’s small population and abundant of resources, Liberia can develop the momentum for rapid economic growth if private sector, working hands in hands with the UN and development partners, can innovate good applicable strategies and take advantage of the opportunities”.

The dialogue ended with an understanding of establishing a platform that will allow sustained dialogue between the UN and the Private Sector.  The UN as global organization will endeavor to organize a forum where the private sector and the government can dialogue in enhancing enabling business environment and attract private sector investment in Liberia.