Launch of the AAID – Liberia’s National Development Plan 2025-2029

Excellency President of the Republic of Liberia, Honorable Pro Tempore, Honorable Senator and members of the legislature, the Dean and members of Cabinet, the representatives of Security and other senior government officials, dean and members of the diplomatic corps, distinguished representatives of development partners organizations, members of civil society, the private sector, academia and the media, young people, men and women esteemed Liberians at home and abroad,

Ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of the United Nations System and the entire development partners’ community in Liberia, it is a profound honor to join you at this 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) and the county development agendas (CDAs) for the next five years.

We thank his excellency the President of Liberia for his leadership through his guidance as chair of the steering committee for the development of the NDP, the Minister of finance for the collaboration on developing the plan and Minister of internal affairs who guided the development of CDAs. 

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. Through extensive consultations across the country and among the diaspora, Liberians from every walk of life—youth, farmers in rural areas, people in cities, civil society organizations, and the private sector—have contributed their voices to this transformative document. This inclusivity makes the people’s AAID truly a plan. 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 including the steering committee, the coordination and the technical committees. This is a great demonstration of transparency and true partnership; we were allowed to review drafts and make comments.

I was searching for quotes about planning, and I found some interesting ones;

A goal without a plan is just a wish; strategic planning is about envisioning a future and preparing what to do about it now: when you fail to plan you are planning to fail; a good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow; planning is really everything!

Therefore, the plan we have before us is very important. The AAID sets forth a clear and innovative roadmap to a Liberia where every citizen can thrive, where inequalities are addressed, and where the country’s hard-earned peace and democratic governance are preserved and strengthened. It is more than a policy document; it is a bold blueprint for transformation, built on the principles of transparency, accountability, and sustainability.

What sets the AAID apart are its new and forward-looking ideas:

1. The identification of development drivers and filters to prioritize interventions that yield maximum impact;
2. The adoption of programmatic structure, paving the way for the adoption of program-based budgeting, and ensuring that resources are allocated for results rather than processes; and
3. A sharpened focus on innovation and resilience, critical to navigating intersecting global challenges like climate change, economic volatility, and geopolitical uncertainty.
4. A participatory approach to developing the national plan, as well as the accompanying county development agenda reflects focus on people based development approach and the principle of leaving no one behind.

The Plan is also deeply aligned with Liberia’s international commitments, including Vision 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Africa’s Agenda 2063, ECOWAS Vision 2050, and the Doha Program of Action. Here, we would like to commend the Government of Liberia for aligning its commitments with six SDG transitions as well as the outcomes of the recent Summit of the Future expressed in the Pact of the Future with its annexes, the Global Digital Pact and Declaration on Future Generations. This alignment underscores Liberia’s leadership in advancing global development agendas while addressing regional and national priorities.

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Liberia has achieved remarkable milestones in recent years. From reducing maternal mortality by 31% to achieving gender parity in education and committing to a 64% reduction in carbon emissions, these accomplishments reflect the country’s resilience and dedication to sustainable development. Liberia’s improved governance, including higher birth registration rates and enhanced press freedom, provides a solid foundation for further progress.

On the other hand, as we celebrate these achievements, we must also confront the persistent challenges. Liberia’s SDG Index score of 49.9 reminds us of the critical gaps that remain, including poverty, gender inequality, and underinvestment in key sectors like agriculture, education, and healthcare. The maternal mortality rate of 742 per 100,000, low literacy levels, and an economy heavily reliant on unprocessed commodity exports highlight the urgency of the tasks ahead.

This is why the implementation of the AAID is crucial. Success will require:

1. Strengthened institutional capacity at all levels, ensuring that government ministries and agencies are equipped to deliver on their mandates;
2. Resource mobilization: The estimated US$8.38 billion needed to implement the Plan calls for innovative financing solutions, stronger public-private partnerships, and enhanced engagement with Liberia’s diaspora;
3. Accountability mechanisms: Transparent monitoring and evaluation systems, combined with mutual accountability frameworks, will ensure that every dollar invested delivers measurable impact; and
4. Focus on implementation: Plans must translate into action. The AAID’s program-based approach. Partners are working on their country program support and it will be critical to align their programs with the NDP and the CDAs. For example the United Nations Sustainable Cooperation Framework (UNCF) will align with national priorities in NDP to provide support for delivering tangible results.
5. Developing a communication strategy for the NDP and CDAs will be critical because this will be one of the major tools for rebranding Liberia and reclaiming true image of the country while popularizing the plan in and out of Liberia for increased partnerships and impact.

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.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This Plan is a shared commitment to Liberia’s future. It reflects the aspirations of a nation determined to rise, to overcome challenges, and to build a society where no one is left behind. But achieving these goals requires all of us—government, development partners, the private sector, civil society, academia and citizens—to work together with unity of purpose.

Let us move forward with determination, optimism, and a shared resolve to transform Liberia’s aspirations into tangible outcomes. Together, we can build a future of inclusive prosperity, sustainable development, and lasting peace for Liberia and its people.

These are not slogans; they are aspirations which are possible. It has happened in other countries like Singapore and other so Liberia is no exemption and I believe it will be even better here because the  country has the potential in the people and resources .

Thank you for the partnership and for your kind attention