Executive Mansion, Monrovia: – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., on Friday, December 13, officially opened the 15th Ministerial Conference of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) today at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Monrovia.
The high-profile event brought together ministers, representatives of member states, development partners, and delegates to address pressing challenges facing the region’s fisheries sector.
In his keynote address, President Boakai emphasized Liberia’s commitment to regional cooperation and sustainable management of marine resources. He described the Conference as a vital platform to strengthen collective efforts in addressing issues such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, climate change, marine pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices.
“The health of our marine ecosystems directly impacts the prosperity and stability of our nations,” said President Boakai, noting further, “Today, as we adopt the Monrovia Declaration, we reaffirm our shared commitment to regional cooperation and sustainable fisheries management.”
President Boakai highlighted Liberia’s recent achievements in fisheries governance, including:
• The development of a comprehensive national fisheries policy and enactment of laws to combat IUU fishing.
• Ratification and domestication of key international agreements such as the United Nations Port State Measures Agreement and the Cape Town Agreement.
• Establishment of a state-of-the-art Fisheries Monitoring Center, in partnership with the Liberia Maritime Authority, to safeguard Liberia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) against illegal activities. “Liberia remains steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding marine ecosystems for future generations,” the President affirmed.
President Boakai lauded the FCWC for its efforts to advance regional collaboration, acknowledging the critical role of development partners such as the World Bank, European Union, FAO, SIDA, and JICA.
He credited their financial and technical support for enhancing regional resilience, improving marine health, and supporting the livelihoods of millions dependent on fisheries.
The President called for urgent action to address challenges such as climate change, marine pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices, stressing that collective efforts and shared expertise are essential.
“These challenges are daunting but not insurmountable. Together, we can transform our fisheries sector into a cornerstone of economic growth and sustainable development for our region,” he said.
The Conference concluded with the adoption of the Monrovia Declaration, a landmark commitment to bolster regional cooperation and promote sustainable fisheries management. By signing the Declaration, Liberia reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with neighboring states and partners in implementing the declaration’s outcomes.
The President closed his address with a call to action: “Let us leave this Conference with renewed determination, recognizing the responsibility we share to safeguard the future of our fisheries for generations to come.
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