Speech by the UN Resident Coordinator in Liberia, Co- Chair of National Steering Committee for Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development National Development Plan 2025–2029 Planning Process

Your Excellency the President of the Republic of Liberia Excellencies

Government ministers, senior government officials

Development partners, 

Private Secor, Civil Society organizations 

UN Colleagues,

Esteemed guests, Ladies and gentlemen,

All protocols observed 

It is my pleasure to be here for the final steering committee for the design of Liberia’s National Development Plan (2025-2029) = the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) and the 15 Country Development Agendas (CDAs). We were here not long ago to launch this planning process. On behalf of the UN and partners and friends of Liberia as co-chair of the national steering committee, I wish to congratulate the government and people of Liberia for reaching this important milestone. It is indeed, a very proud moment for Liberians and partners!

The Liberia’s National Development Plan which will be tabled before us marks a transformative step toward sustainable, inclusive development. Your Excellency, when you travelled to New York with a delegation of children as young as 10 years and some youth representations, we remained behind and organized a watch party for the young ones who did not go. Technology is helpful – form the statements we understood that the Liberia’s youthful population, natural resources, strategic location, sustained peace and most important the patriotism and determination of the people offer immense potential to realize this plan. 

We are aware that some challenges still exist like multidimensional poverty, unemployment, limited infrastructure, health and education challenges, however, these are not insurmountable and cannot stop Liberians from visioning a brighter future once this plan is well implemented. 

We have been amazed at how the plan was developed through broad consultations with government, civil society, private sector, and international partners, this national Development Plan, the AAID, reflects the collective aspirations of Liberians to overcome historic challenges and unlock their nation's potential, providing a roadmap for a better and more equitable future. The process of consultations is as important as the plan itself because it strengthens the ownership of the plan. 

This current AAID has been designed with a cause-consequence approach to development (with Liberians asking themselves WHY and HOW did we reach here? What can do for Liberia to become the breadbasket for the region and the pride of Africa again! These conversations generate a plan which ensures interventions that are catalytic and enabling domino effects- sort of a chain reaction or revolution which kicks in a clear momentum to transform the country. AAID introduces program planning, laying the fundamentals for program-based budgeting and strengthening the links between resources and outcomes. The links between the national plan and the county national agendas (NDCs) are clear- making it easy for decentralization to take root. 

To achieve this AAID strategic objectives, Liberia requires a total investment of $7.6b. The government has committed to enhancing domestic resource mobilization, pursuing innovative financing mechanisms, and fostering partnerships with private sector stakeholders, development partners, and the diaspora. The country is working on its own goals to strengthen institutional capacities, to enhance governance and productivity. The partners and friends of Liberia stand ready to accompany the country in achieving these ambitious goals.

Mr president, we know for that this is Liberia’s journey with the government and people leading their own development agenda. We are also aware that partnership, collaboration and coordination are vital for everything to come together coherently towards the objectives. No single entity can achieve this development journey alone. AAID calls for a united effort across government institutions, private sector actors, civil society, diaspora and development partners. 

I would like to assure you that our partners are truly committed to leveraging expertise and resources to support catalytic interventions, while promoting crowding in of the private sector to produce goods, services and jobs. Several partners are in the process of developing country cooperation frameworks: we will continue to align our programs with Liberia’s priorities, ensuring synergy and maximum development impact. 

To achieve development impact the AAID envisages demands to make change from today towards 2029, basically to the end of the SDG cycle. (It is among the few plans which are being implemented in the last years of the 2030 agenda). For example, the plan has the ambition is to change the literacy rates of those above 15 years from 58.6% to 62.8%, improve the multidimensional poverty index from 45% to 39%, improve the position of Liberia in the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance and the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, as well boost the economy to grow the GDP per capita from US$ 850.00 to US$ 1,050. Basically, the Liberia is aspiring for low middle income country in the years to come, this is ambitious but achievable. The Country will be no more in LDCs – commitments also made in DOHA.

As implementation begins, strong coordination mechanisms, robust monitoring and evaluation systems will be crucial to track progress and adapt to emerging challenges. The plan’s emphasis on accountability and transparency will rebuild trust, enhance governance, and create an enabling environment for the private sector to flourish and, consequently, promote sustainable development.  

The  AAID challenges us all to think boldly and act decisively. It is a call to transform Liberia into a nation of shared prosperity, where no one is left behind. It is clearly aligned to regional commitments, like the Africa agenda 2063, international obligations -SDGs incorporating the six SDG transitions, as well as forward looking in line with the 2024 pact for the future. Through innovation, resilience, and commitment, this foresight will become a reality

Your Excellency, this plan has been largely funded by the government of Liberia! It has been designed by Liberian nationals led by the ministry of Finance and economic planning, together with ministry of internal affairs and other ministries and departments. We thank you once again for your clear leadership and total commitment to national ownership.

Allow me to thank partners who provided some supplementary funding and technical assistance during the planning process, the Embassy of Sweden, USAID, the UN SDGs Funds, the UNFPA, UNDP, UNWOMEN, UNICEF and USAID. Many partners and technicians were present during consultations and various meetings where they were invited. 

Thank you for allowing us to be a humble part of this journey in a humble way: where it was through research on drivers of development, supporting country consultations, advisory services, CTA, gender, SDGs, data and monitoring and evaluation expertise. 

On behalf of the partners, I express our unwavering support for Liberia’s journey toward sustainable and inclusive development. Let us walk this path together, united in purpose and driven by a shared vision of a brighter future for all Liberians.

I wish you fruitful deliberation towards validating the plan

Thank you for your kind attention