Boakai Deepens U.S. Ties

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 21, 2026 — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is seeking to broaden Liberia’s longstanding relationship with the United States through a series of Washington engagements focused on trade, investment, diplomacy, humanitarian cooperation and cultural preservation.

In separate meetings, President Boakai met with senior U.S. political and faith figures and representatives of a historical preservation initiative, as his administration seeks stronger partnerships to support Liberia’s development priorities.

In talks with U.S. Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Boakai discussed strengthening Liberia-U.S. relations and expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, security and institutional development.

The President also highlighted Liberia’s role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2026–2027 and stressed the importance of continued cooperation with the United States on regional peace, global security and multilateral diplomacy.

According to an Executive Mansion release, Boakai said Liberia’s years of peace and political stability must translate into tangible improvements in citizens’ lives through job creation, stronger institutions, increased investment and sustainable development.

The meeting formed part of the administration’s broader effort to deepen diplomatic relations and attract greater trade and investment to Liberia.

In a separate engagement at the White House, President Boakai met Dr. Paula White-Cain, Senior Adviser to the White House Faith Office, for discussions centered on faith, leadership and the historic relationship between Liberia and the United States.

The meeting followed White-Cain’s July 2026 visit to Liberia during celebrations marking the country’s 179th Independence Anniversary.

During that visit, she delivered the sermon at the National Thanksgiving and Intercessory Service in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.

President Boakai later conferred on her the Grand Band of the Order of the Star of Africa in recognition of her religious and humanitarian engagement with Liberia and Africa.

According to the Executive Mansion, their Washington meeting explored opportunities for deeper cooperation in faith-based development, humanitarian assistance, education and people-to-people relations.

“Liberia deeply values its historic relationship with the United States. We remain committed to strengthening this partnership for the benefit of our people,” Boakai said during the engagement.

Meanwhile, the President also met representatives of the Friends of Providence Island, an initiative seeking to preserve and promote one of Liberia’s important historical and cultural sites.

The delegation was led by Alison Grunder, a former U.S. diplomat who served as Chargé d’Affaires in Liberia from 2018 to 2021, and Allison James, Memorialization Project Director at James Madison’s Montpelier.

The group presented plans to support the preservation of Providence Island and increase public appreciation of its significance to Liberia’s history and national identity.

President Boakai welcomed the initiative, saying the preservation of the island could strengthen historical education, promote sustainable tourism and create opportunities for communities associated with the site.

He encouraged continued collaboration between the group and relevant Liberian institutions and stakeholders toward developing what officials described as a nationally coordinated and sustainable approach to preserving and developing the island.

The Washington engagements come as the Boakai administration seeks to leverage Liberia’s historic relationship with the United States and its current role on the UN Security Council to strengthen international cooperation and advance national development priorities.

They form part of President Boakai’s diplomatic activities in the United States surrounding the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.