Liberia Advances Accountability and Partnership at 2026 Aid Coordination Conference

United Nations Liberia joined the Government of Liberia and development partners in Monrovia for the 2026 Aid Coordination Conference convened by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), reinforcing a shared commitment to transparency, accountability and sustainable development financing.

The high-level forum brought together bilateral and multilateral partners to review aid performance, assess progress, and strengthen collaboration at a time of tightening global development assistance.

Representing the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs Anthony G. Myers reported that total aid commitments for FY2024–2025 amounted to US$641 million, while disbursements reached US$708.5 million — reflecting strong partner follow-through. In 2025, the disbursement-to-commitment ratio stood at 82 per cent, with several partners exceeding their pledged levels.

Strengthening Transparency and Mutual Accountability

Deliberations centered on advancing transparency, predictability and alignment with internationally agreed aid effectiveness principles under the Paris and Accra frameworks. Participants also examined recurring challenges related to ineligible expenditures in donor-funded projects and discussed options for closer coordination between partner audits and Liberia’s General Auditing Commission (GAC).

Government officials highlighted ongoing reforms, including expansion of internal audit systems across ministries, modernization of procurement through e-procurement platforms, and plans to roll out the Integrated Financial Management System to local governments in support of decentralization. These measures are designed to reinforce fiscal discipline and ensure that resources translate into tangible results for citizens.

Transitioning from Aid to Structured Partnership

A central theme of the conference was Liberia’s transition from aid dependency toward structured partnership anchored in national ownership. Authorities emphasized that development strategies must remain government-led, with partners aligning support to national priorities.

Liberia is mobilizing US$1.2 billion through its national budget to advance infrastructure, health, education, agriculture and economic diversification. In parallel, the country is strengthening domestic resource mobilization and expanding trade and investment partnerships to build resilience and reduce long-term reliance on external assistance.

UN Reaffirms Commitment to Government-Led Priorities

Speaking on behalf of the UN family, United Nations Resident Coordinator Christian Umutoni welcomed the open dialogue and acknowledged notable gains in transparency, domestic resource mobilization and auditing reforms. She underscored the importance of deeper coordination, alignment and joint programming to maximize impact amid shrinking global aid flows.

The conference also marked an important transition within the Cooperating Partners Group, as Sweden announced the conclusion of its bilateral engagement in Liberia by August 2026, while reaffirming support for government-led development planning.

As global financing landscapes evolve, the discussions underscored a shared determination to enhance accountability, improve absorption capacity and foster innovative financing partnerships.

United Nations Liberia remains committed to supporting Liberia’s development agenda and advancing inclusive, sustainable growth in partnership with government and the broader development community.