Special Remarks by Ms. Christine Umutoni, UN Resident Coordinator, Liberia

Representatives of national Institutions, Excellencies, Development Partners distinguished guests, colleagues from the UN Agencies, Funds and Programs, Children and Youths (the future leaders of Liberia) Civil Society, Media, distinguished ladies and gentlemen

It is both an honor and a privilege to stand before you today as we gather for this pivotal Summit of the Future National Consultations. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your commitment and dedication to shaping a future that is sustainable, equitable, and prosperous for all. On behalf of the United Nations Country Team in Liberia, I  am delighted to  join you in the  preparations of this Lieberian Summit of the Future  that will contribute to the Global Summit on the Future, to be held at the UN General Assembly, September 22-24, 2024. 

You may recall that the  global SDG Summit  convened by the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres last year to renew the commitment from the international community, governments, and society to a new phase of concerted global efforts in achieving the global 2030 Agenda with its 17 SDGs.  For that Summit, Liberia was among the countries that developed the National SDGs Transformation Roadmap ahead of the summit, again through a consultative process

We are at a crossroads, where the choices we make today will resonate through generations to come. The challenges we face—be it climate change, global health, technological disruptions, or socio-economic inequalities—are formidable. Yet, they also present unparalleled opportunities to forge a new path forward, grounded in solidarity and innovation.

The leadership  of the Government Liberia cannot be underscored through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Gender , Children and Social Protection who supported by the UN family have steered the preparations for the  Global Summit.

The Summit of the Future is not merely a meeting of minds; it is a call to action. It is about harnessing the collective wisdom of our diverse communities to craft solutions that are both visionary and practical. Our discussions here are a testament to our shared determination to create a world where every individual has the chance to thrive. I am delighted to see the diverse groups here today, reflecting very wide and representative stakeholders., especially the voices from the Youth and Children’s Summits who collectively  will result in shared aspirations for future  of  Liberia. I am encouraged by the level of engagement here today –  from Children, youth, Persons Living with Disabilities, CSOs, the Private sector, Ministries, Agencies  and Commissions,  Development Partners, Academia, civil society and the UN Family. This is commendable, shows that everyone’s voice counts, and will capture the collective voices.

Today, Liberia is on the path to development  and  Liberia’s representation at the Summit of the Future will – building on the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, ,rekindle the clarity of purpose, ambition, solidarity, and commitment to transformation and achievement of the SDGs in Liberia

Each of you brings unique perspectives and expertise to this summit. Your voices are crucial in shaping policies and actions that are not only aspirational but also grounded in the realities of our local and national contexts. I urge you to engage openly, share your insights, and collaborate across sectors to develop actionable solutions.. encourage all of us to join our efforts under the leadership of the government to chart  a common position and present actionable recommendations for the global promise of a sustainable, just, and equitable future for all, including the promise to eradicate poverty, promote gender equality and women empowerment, spur inclusive economic growth and wealth, ensure that Liberia’s resources work for Liberia’s development

Liberia’s  position must include among others, the promise to transform national, regional, and continental economies and societies more inclusively in ways that will both dramatically reduce inequalities and decisively tackle the climate crisis and the war on nature, build human capital, and improve governance systems. In your deliberations, reflect on thee change you want to see by 2030 in the well being of the people of  Liberia. 

This National Summit of the Future will most importantly be THE reflection of the children and youth aspirations as the future leaders. Their involvement demonstrates Liberia’s quest to harness the demographic dividend and sustainably prepare for the evolving demographic shifts, as the population doubles by 2046, in a country where the population is youthful.

It would be remiss of me not to highlight the importance of stability and peace in  inclusive and sustainable development – driven my  governance systems that support transformation, commitment to global sustainable development commitment,  including SDG transformation through the six transitions  the active participation of all the stakeholders and the private sector in driving  transformative change.

The United Nations stands ready to support you in these efforts. Our role is to facilitate dialogue, provide technical assistance, and mobilize resources to ensure that our collective vision for the future becomes a reality. Together, we can address the complex challenges we face and turn them into opportunities for sustainable development and human dignity. As we embark on these consultations, let us remember that the future we envision is within our grasp. By working together with resolve and compassion, we can build a world where prosperity, justice, and peace are not distant ideals but living realities for everyone.

The UN stands solidly behind the Government to support this transformative change efforts. We all  must pursue this change with the vigor and determination that our current situation demands. 

Thank you for your dedication, and I look forward to the fruitful discussions and groundbreaking outcomes of this summit.