The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liberia

02/06/2026

The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has sent a congratulatory message to the Government and people of the Republic of Italy on the occasion of the Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day), celebrated on June 2, 2026.

Festa della Repubblica Italy’s National Day is observed annually on June 2. The day commemorates the institutional referendum held by universal suffrage in 1946, when the Italian people were called to the polls to decide on the form of government following the Second World War and the fall of fascism.

On behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, President Boakai extended warm congratulations to His Excellency Mr. Sergio Mattarella, President of the Republic of Italy, and through him, to the Government and people of Italy, on the occasion of Italy’s National Day.

“We joyfully partake in this commemoration, which marks Italy’s independence anniversary and highlights the enduring benefits derived from our bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” President Boakai stated.

The Liberian leader expressed confidence that the ongoing collaboration between the two countries and peoples will flourish further during his tenure.

President Boakai emphasized that the partnership between Liberia and Italy is rooted in longstanding harmony, enriched by joint efforts in sectors such as agriculture, education, tourism, and global security.

He concluded by praying that President Mattarella continues to enjoy good health and happiness, and that the people of Italy experience continuous progress and prosperity.

27/05/2026

Her Excellency Mme Sara Beysolow Nyanti Address Delivered at the Security Council Open Debate
Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centered International System on May 26, 2026 in New York 👇

20/05/2026

China and Liberia Reaffirm Strategic Partnership, Champion UN Reform and Global South

Liberia and China have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateralism, amplifying the voice of the Global South, and advancing reform of the UN Security Council, following high-level talks held in Beijing on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Wang Yi extended a special invitation to H.E. Madam Sara Beysolow-Nyanti to visit China ahead of the high-level week, as the two met to advance the strategic partnership forged by Presidents Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Xi Jinping at the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit. Under that shared vision, both presidents committed to a strategic partnership rooted in mutual respect, development, and South-South solidarity, charting a course for deeper and more structured bilateral engagement. Wang Yi praised nearly 50 years of friendship between the two nations, recalling moments of solidarity during the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic as testament to the enduring nature of the bilateral relationship. He noted that under the guidance of both presidents, political trust has grown significantly and bilateral ties have been elevated to a strategic partnership that continues to gain momentum.

As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term, Liberia outlined its priorities including peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and inclusive diplomacy, linking its Council role to domestic stability and broader regional security. Both ministers called for Council reforms to make the body more effective and representative, with Liberia advocating for permanent seats and stronger African representation in global governance structures. China pledged close coordination with Liberia on UN agendas, underscoring the importance of multilateralism and resisting unilateralism in global decision making. Both sides highlighted their shared determination to safeguard the rights and interests of developing nations.

Holding the rotating presidency of the Security Council for May, China announced plans to convene a high-level open debate on 26 May under the theme “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centered International System.” Foreign Minister Wang Yi invited Minister Beysolow-Nyanti to take the floor as a speaker at the debate, underscoring the urgency of reinforcing the Charter amid growing global turbulence and deepening divisions within the international community.

Wang Yi pledged continued support for Liberia’s sovereignty and development, with expanded cooperation in trade, agriculture, and livelihoods. He reaffirmed China’s support for Liberia’s role as a non-permanent member of the Security Council and expressed readiness to strengthen multilateral coordination in defense of the UN Charter and the interests of the Global South.

Minister Beysolow-Nyanti opened by thanking China for extending the zero tariff policy to Liberia, noting its significant potential to accelerate economic growth, boost exports, and expand trade opportunities for the Liberian people. She expressed that the policy, which took effect on 1 May, reflects the depth of China’s commitment to Liberia’s development and positions the country to benefit more meaningfully from its relationship with Beijing. She then expressed gratitude for decades of assistance spanning infrastructure, health, and education, pointing to recent milestones including the dedication of the Liberia Broadcasting System complex and ongoing construction along Tubman Boulevard.

She also expressed eagerness to expand collaboration in trade, investment, and agriculture, building on momentum from the 2024 China-Liberia Trade and Investment Promotion Forum held in Shenzhen.

She further commended China’s active engagement in conflict-affected regions across Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, and the Sahel, thanking Beijing for its constructive role in advancing peace and security on the continent. Both sides welcomed 2026 as the “Year of People to People Exchanges,” seeing it as a practical framework for deepening cultural understanding, fostering youth cooperation, and advancing modernization across both nations.

Minister Beysolow-Nyanti reaffirmed Liberia’s steadfast adherence to the One China Policy, noting that the principle holds special historic weight as it was codified into law by Liberia’s National Legislature when President Boakai served as President of the Senate.

She expressed full support for China’s vision of “a community with a shared future for mankind.”

20/05/2026

19/05/2026

Liberia Joins Global Mediation Body; Signs IOMed Convention in Beijing .....

On the sidelines of Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow-Nyanti’s official visit to the People’s Republic of China, Liberia on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).

IOMed establishes a structured framework for states to resolve disputes through mediation rather than litigation or arbitration. Rooted in the principles of the UN Charter, the Convention underscores mediation as a peaceful means of safeguarding international peace and security.

According to a dispatch from Beijing, Liberia’s Ambassador to China, His Excellency Mr. Dudley McKinley Thomas, signed the Convention on behalf of the Government of Liberia.

Initially signed by 33 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe in Hong Kong on 30 May 2025, IOMed is the world’s first intergovernmental legal body dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation. The Convention entered into force on 29 August 2025, with Hong Kong designated as its permanent headquarters.

Since its official launch in October 2025, membership has grown from 37 to 41 signatory states, while contracting states have increased from eight to 13. The 2026 Global Mediation Summit in Hong Kong brought together more than 400 leaders and experts from 48 countries, further cementing Hong Kong’s role as a global mediation hub.

Earlier this year, IOMed successfully mediated a maritime dispute between China and Singapore, marking its first major achievement since inception.

Despite this milestone, challenges remain. Mediation relies heavily on parties’ willingness to honor agreements, as enforcement mechanisms are weaker than arbitration or court rulings. Moreover, geopolitical tensions may test its effectiveness in disputes involving major powers, while broader ratification is essential to strengthen legitimacy and global reach.

18/05/2026

H.E. Mr. Wang Yi invites Liberian counterpart, H.E. Beysolow-Nyanti, to China

Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mme. Sara Beysolow-Nyanti, has arrived in Beijing for an official visit at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr. Wang Yi.

According to a dispatch from Beijing, the two ministers will hold bilateral talks on Tuesday, 19 May, followed by a dinner hosted in Minister Beysolow-Nyanti’s honor by H. E. Wang Yi, also a Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Discussions are expected to highlight Liberia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with China and strengthening multilateral cooperation and enhancing coordination to advance reforms of the United Nations Security Council and its subsidiary bodies to promote greater effectiveness and inclusivity.

This visit reflects the vision of His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. and President Xi Jinping that has elevated Liberia–China relations to a “strategic partnership,” as proposed during the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit. Liberia intends to continue deepening collaboration in ways that deliver “win-win” outcomes for both countries.

Minister Beysolow-Nyanti will later hold talks with Mr. Chen Xiaodong, Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA).

CIDCA serves as China’s lead agency for development cooperation, responsible for setting strategic guidelines, policies, and plans. It coordinates and advises on major aid initiatives, identifies priority programs, and oversees their implementation through supervision and evaluation.

During her stay, the Liberian Foreign Minister will address students and faculty at the China Foreign Affairs University on Liberia’s foreign policy, economic diplomacy, peacebuilding, and its role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

She will also travel to Shenzhen, Guangdong Province and visit the Liberia Chamber of Commerce trade office in that city and later meet with the Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Mayor Qin Weizhong and municipal officials, following up on the April 2025 visit of a 19-member Chinese delegation to Liberia. That mission advanced cooperation in trade, investment, cultural exchange, and agriculture.
The visit to Shenzhen builds on momentum from the inaugural China-Liberia Trade and Investment Promotion Forum, held in September 2024 under the theme “China and Liberia Cooperating in Building a High-Level China–Africa Community with a Shared Future in the Spirit of FOCAC.” It was hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Liberia with support from the African Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shenzhen Municipal Government.

The Foreign Minister is accompanied by the Deputy Minister for International Cooperation, Dr. Ibrahim Nyei, and the Assistant Minister and Chief of Office Staff, Madam Saran Kaba Jones.

15/05/2026

LIBERIA AND THE UNITED STATES SIGN SHIPRIDER AGREEMENT TO BOLSTER MARITIME SECURITY AND PARTNERSHIP

Liberia and the United States have strengthened their longstanding Partnership with the signing of the Shiprider Agreement, a landmark accord designed to protect Liberia’s waters, secure its blue economy, and combat transnational maritime crimes.

The ceremony took place at the Liberia Coast Guard Base in Monrovia, attended by senior officials including Minister of Defense Retired Brigadier General Geraldine J. George, Deputy Chief of Staff Brigadier General Theophilus Dana, and other distinguished guests.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Liberian government by Foreign Minister Her Excellency Sara Beysolow Nyanti, and the Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy near Monrovia.
Minister Nyanti reflected on the long process of negotiations, which began in 2024, and emphasized the significance of the agreement for ordinary Liberians. “This agreement is more than a piece of paper—it is a promise to our people that their fish stocks will be protected, their livelihoods safeguarded, and their Coast Guard strengthened,” she said. She pledged, on behalf of President Joseph Boakai, that Liberia will uphold its commitments and ensure the agreement delivers tangible benefits.
she highlighted that the agreement is vital for maritime security, the protection of Liberia’s fisheries, and the prevention of drug trafficking. She noted that it will contribute to regional security and safe West African waters, while also creating jobs, boosting domestic revenue, and strengthening the Coast Guard’s capacity.

She further underscored Liberia’s global role, pointing out that the country now sits on the UN Security Council and maintains the world’s largest ship registry by tonnage. “This agreement demonstrates Liberia’s leadership and moral responsibility in maritime security,” she added.
In his remarks, the U.S.

Charge d’Affaires commended Liberia’s Armed Forces and Coast Guard for their professionalism and praised the enthusiasm of young Liberians joining through recent recruitment drives. “This agreement allows U.S. and Liberian officials to embark on each other’s vessels for joint operations, targeting illegal fishing, narcotics trafficking, piracy, and other illicit maritime activities,” he explained.

He reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Liberia’s security and prosperity, noting, “The United States has invested over $300 million in Liberia’s Armed Forces over the past two decades, and we remain committed to supporting Liberia’s future.”

The Charge d’Affaires also highlighted Liberia’s participation in Obangame Express 2026, the largest multinational maritime exercise in West Africa, involving more than 30 nations.

He praised Liberia’s contributions to counter-piracy, illegal fishing enforcement, and search-and-rescue drills.
Also speaking on behalf of Liberia Coast Guard, Acting Commander Lt. Col. Georgian Kansuah described the signing as “a symbol of enduring friendship and mutual trust between Liberia and the United States.”

He acknowledged the challenges Liberia faces at sea, including illegal fishing, drug trafficking, piracy, and human smuggling, and stressed that effective response requires strong partnerships, intelligence sharing, and coordinated operations.

“We are grateful to the U.S. government and partners who have provided training, technical assistance, and unwavering support,” Lt. Col. Kansuah said. He reaffirmed the Coast Guard’s vision to build a professional force capable of safeguarding Liberia’s sovereignty and resources.

Kansuah emphasized that the agreement provides a strategic framework for Liberia and the U.S. to strengthen cooperation at sea, enhancing Liberia’s ability to secure its maritime domain and keep waters safe for lawful commerce.

He concluded by noting that the agreement demonstrates democratic cooperation and a shared vision for peace and prosperity. “We hope this partnership will continue to flourish and strengthen Liberia’s maritime security and economic future,” he said.

The Shiprider Agreement represents a milestone in U.S.–Liberia relations, reinforcing democratic cooperation and a shared vision for secure, prosperous, and peaceful waters in West Africa.

Both governments pledged to uphold the agreement, maximize its benefits for the Liberian people, and strengthen maritime governance for generations to come.

15/05/2026

Signing of MOFA/ US Maritime’s Shipriders Agreement

13/05/2026

President Boakai Declares Thursday, May 14, 2026 As“National Unification Day”

The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has by Proclamation declared Thursday, May 14, 2026 as “National Unification Day” and is to be observed throughout the Republic as a national holiday.

The observance of the Day is in consonance with an Act of National Legislature, which was passed into law in 1960, declaring the 14th of May each year as “National Unification Day” to be celebrated as a National Holiday in Liberia.

The proclamation directs that appropriate program be organized to celebrate the day.

The wisdom of the Unification Policy has found expression in the national fabric through the representation of all sections of the country including the Legislature and other branches of government, thereby promoting conditions of peace and unity.

The proclamation also indicated that since the Unification and Integration Policy became a cogent part of the National Development Plan, the people of Liberia have seen marked progress and improvement in all spheres of national endeavors, particularly in the economic, educational, communication and social fields.

The release further recounted that being mindful of the years of civil strife in the country and its harmful impacts on the people of Liberia; it becomes imperative that all Liberians embrace the noble ideals enshrined in the Unification Act to promote unity and peace among all Liberians.

The proclamation also reiterated that Liberia’s adherence to the principles of justice, equality, fair play and equal opportunities for all, regardless of tribe or clan, section, creed, religion or economic status so that Liberians might be united in a consolidated whole.