Monrovia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has called on United Nations Member States to support Liberia’s bid for the African non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2026. Delivering his first address to the UN General Assembly as President, Boakai reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to promoting global peace, justice, and security.
“As Liberia proudly announces its candidacy, we look forward to the overwhelming support of member states to vote Liberia onto the non-permanent seat of the Security Council, where we can work with Council members to advance peace, justice, and security,” President Boakai said.
He underscored Liberia’s dedication to fostering sustainable growth and ensuring human dignity for all, stating, “Liberia is prepared to work with the United Nations, global allies, and the international community to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and create a just, peaceful, and sustainable world.”
Highlighting Liberia’s historical commitment to multilateralism, President Boakai recalled that Liberia, as a founding member of the United Nations and other post-war international institutions, has consistently upheld the values of unity and cooperation. He reaffirmed Liberia’s belief in a multilateral, rules-based international order grounded in shared principles that are vital for a prosperous future.
“This future of a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world must be inclusive, fair, and dignified for everyone,” President Boakai said.
Reflecting on Liberia’s long-standing relationship with the United Nations, the President noted that nearly eight decades ago, in 1945, Liberia stood alongside other nations in San Francisco as an original signatory to the UN Charter. In the aftermath of World War II, the world was united in a commitment to prevent future global conflicts and promote lasting peace.
However, Boakai acknowledged that the world has evolved significantly since then, with new challenges such as international drug trafficking, money laundering, climate change, and the powerful influence of social media. These realities, he said, are exacerbated by greed and insensitivity to the needs of the poor, demanding a reevaluation of global peace and security strategies.
“Today’s challenges compel us to rethink our approach to global peace and security. The United Nations, as a beacon of hope for humanity, must undergo necessary philosophical and institutional reforms to meet the demands of this new era,” Boakai stressed.
The President also emphasized the importance of collective action, noting that the theme of this year’s General Assembly, ‘Unity in Diversity for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Everyone Everywhere,’ serves as a reminder of the shared values that bind the global community. These values, he said, are essential to promoting peace and development while safeguarding the dignity of every human being.
Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals
President Boakai reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since the end of the country’s civil conflict, he said, Liberia has been on a development path aimed at building a capable state, guided by Vision 2030, also known as Liberia Rising. Launched twelve years ago, Vision 2030 aligns closely with the SDGs and has been central to Liberia’s planning and development efforts.
Trumpeting the ARREST Agenda
The President highlighted the Government’s ARREST Agenda, which addresses Liberia’s economic and social challenges through a comprehensive strategy. With a focus on critical sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, justice, education, sanitation, health, and tourism, the ARREST Agenda has integrated the SDGs and provides a roadmap for Liberia to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This agenda is particularly crucial in addressing the needs of Liberia’s youth, who make up 60 percent of the population.
Despite progress, Boakai acknowledged that the fight against poverty remains a significant challenge, with more than half of Liberia’s population still living below the poverty line. He reiterated that the SDGs aim to eradicate poverty in all its forms by 2030, ensuring social protection for the poor and vulnerable. Liberia, he said, is committed to this global mission and is actively assessing poverty levels and causes, while implementing strategies to reduce it and promote shared prosperity.
“As we continue on this journey, we recognize that the path to achieving global peace, sustainable development, and human dignity is long and complex. However, with renewed commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and steadfast dedication to the SDGs, Liberia stands ready to contribute to building a better world—one in which no one is left behind,” President Boakai concluded.
