Government of Liberia launches the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development-AAID- President Boakai calls for collective efforts

The Government of Liberia on January 15th, in Buchanan, Grand Bassa, launched its National Development Plan- ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development- aimed at transforming Liberia’s infrastructure and systems. 

During the presentation of the national development plan, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine K. Ngafuan acknowledged the challenges faced and recognized the necessity to address them. He stated that the AAID aims to achieve ambitious socioeconomic progress. Among the goals articulated in the plan is a 37 percent increase in GDP, which is anticipated to grow the economy from US$4.75 billion to US$6.5 billion.

“This growth will also result in a 23.6 percent increase in per capita GDP, rising from approximately US$850 to US$1,050,” he added.

Minister Ngafuan emphasized, “On the human capital front, the plan aspires to extend life expectancy from 60 to 65 years, reduce the maternal mortality rate from 742 per 100,000 to 440 per 100,000, and lower the multidimensional poverty rate from 45 percent to 36 percent. These and other socioeconomic achievements are expected to improve Liberia’s ranking on the SDG index by seven places, moving from 152 out of 166 countries to 145 out of 166.”

He stressed that the plan marks the beginning of building the new superstructure for Liberia’s development in the next five years, underpinned by the principles of inclusiveness, sustainability, transparency, and accountability.

He explained that the AAID and the CDAs are anchored in the National Vision 2030 and aligned with global, continental, and regional frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, ECOWAS Vision 2050, and the Doha Program of Action. 

He also applauded the support from the UN Liberia Country Team, UNECA, the Joint SDG Fund and other partners.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Madam Christine Umutoni, speaking on behalf of the United Nations System and the entire development partners’ community in Liberia, noted that it was a profound honor to join you at the historic moment in Liberia’s development journey. "Today, we celebrate the launch of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), Liberia’s National Development Plan (NDP) for the next five years. This event represents far more than the culmination of a planning process—it is a defining moment shaped by national ownership and broad-based participation. " 

She stated that through extensive consultations across the country and among the diaspora, Liberians from every walk of life—youth in urban centers, farmers in rural areas, civil society organizations, and the private sector—have contributed their voices to this transformative document. "This inclusivity makes the AAID truly a plan of the people, by the people, and for the people. Thank you for allowing development partners to be part of this process through technical and financial support but also through sharing ideas in different committees"-RC Christine Umutoni.

She reiterated that the United Nations and development partners stand as steadfast allies in this journey.  "By leveraging our collective resources, fostering innovation, and ensuring shared accountability, we can bring call our support together to accelerate progress toward Liberia’s development goals", she concluded.

Pres. Boakai, speaking upon receipt of the AAID, emphasized that achieving Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) and County Development (CDA) Agendas required a collective effort from Liberians, stressing the importance of good governance, a revitalized economy, modernized infrastructure, and improved education and healthcare.

H.E. Joseph Boakai stressed the need to amplify the voices of women, youth, and vulnerable citizens, stating that unity and inclusion are essential for overcoming poverty and inequality.  Pres. Boakai said the National Development Plan represents not just a plan, but a shared vision, a bold commitment, and a renewed sense of purpose to secure continuous implementation of the Liberia 2030 Vision, leading to a brighter future for every Liberian.

He further stressed that the implementation phase is essential for all government institutions to realign their plans and operational frameworks to ensure their budgets reflect the goals of the ARREST Agenda.

Said President Boakai, “Our nation is rich in resources, yet we continue to face significant challenges such as high unemployment, low literacy rates, widespread poverty, poor infrastructure, and structural inequalities.  The AAID and CDAs present strategies supported by ambitious programs aimed at addressing multidimensional poverty affecting a significant portion of our population. The AAID calls for a mindset shift that recognizes the potential within every Liberian to drive national development, with the support of our international development partners.”

"This joint programme is supported by the Joint SDG Fund. We sincerely appreciate the contributions from the European Union and the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland in accelerating progress towards the SDGs.”