Excellencies,
Dear Colleagues,
Distinguished young scholars and emerging leaders of the Next African Generation,
Esteemed partners and friends of Liberia,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, and the Government and People of Liberia, it is both a profound honor and a sincere pleasure to welcome you to the Embassy of the Republic of Liberia near Paris, France.
Today, we have gathered not only to celebrate enduring partnerships but also to recognize the vision, creativity, and leadership of Africa’s next generation. This occasion is more than a ceremonial reception; it is a bridge between our shared African heritage and the future we are shaping together, a testament to our nations’ enduring legacies and the promise embodied by our youth, who advance with courage, conviction, and purpose.
Please allow me to begin with a brief reflection on Liberia, the Sweet Land of Liberty. Liberia’s story is one of freedom, resilience, and determination. Founded in 1822 as a settlement for black freed slaves from North America and liberated Africans captured from slave traders, Liberia declared its independence on July 26, 1847, becoming the first sovereign republic in Africa, decades before the continent-wide wave of decolonization. Guided by the principles of liberty, sovereignty, and self-governance, our constitution and political framework remain the foundation of our nation, positioning Liberia as a beacon of freedom and democratic values.
Liberia’s influence extends far beyond its borders. As a founding member of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, Liberia championed the liberation of Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and other African countries, ensuring Africa’s voice resonated globally. We were also among the founding members of the League of Nations in 1920, the United Nations in 1945, the African Development Bank in 1964, the Mano River Union (MRU) in 1973, and the Economic Community of West African States in 1975, demonstrating our commitment to contributing to peacebuilding, mediation, and continental progress as well as using sub regional, regional, continental and global platforms to achieve them. Liberia’s active engagement with the African Union, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the International Criminal Court underscores our enduring commitment to Africa and the world.
Strategically located on the West African coast, Liberia is blessed with extraordinary natural beauty. Our nation boasts of about 580 kilometers of Atlantic coastline, extensive river systems, fertile agricultural lands, and some of West Africa’s last remaining rainforests. Sapo National Park, internationally recognized for its biodiversity, exemplifies our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
Equally remarkable is our demographic and cultural vitality. With an estimated population of 5.73 million and a median age of approximately 18.8 years, Liberia is a young and dynamic nation. Home to sixteen ethnic groups, each with its own history and traditions, Liberia is a land of rich cultural diversity. From the Kpelle in the central region to the Bassa along the coast, the Grebo and Kru in the southeast, each group contributes to a vibrant cultural mosaic. In the north and northeast, groups such as the Gio (Dan), Mano (Mah), Lorma, Gola, Vai, Mende, Bella, Gbandi, and Kissi maintain distinctive languages, customs, and crafts, while the Americo-Liberians, descendants of freed African Americans and Caribbean settlers, further enrich our heritage.
This cultural tapestry comes alive in our music, dance, storytelling, crafts, and cuisine. Combined with our natural landscapes, from the surfing haven of Robertsport to the ecological treasure of Mount Nimba, Liberia offers an authentic and unforgettable African experience.
Liberia unfolds like a living tapestry across its fifteen counties. Montserrado County hums with the energy of Monrovia’s bustling shores, while Bong County rises in verdant hills and fertile fields. Nimba County stretches skyward with mountains that touch the clouds, and Lofa and Gbarpolu Counties cradle misty valleys. Along the west coast, Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, and Grand Bassa Counties meet the Atlantic with sandy beaches and mangrove-lined rivers. In the southeast, Sinoe, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, and Maryland Counties glitter with rainforests and wildlife, while Grand Kru’s rugged cliffs meet the endless sea. Margibi County’s rivers and RiverCess County’s forests complete this mosaic of breathtaking beauty.
Liberia is also endowed with abundant natural resources that fuel economic growth and investment, including iron ore, gold, diamonds, timber, fertile lands, and a strategic maritime sector featuring one of the world’s largest ship registries. With a stable, increasingly investor-friendly environment, Liberia is poised for meaningful progress in agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, infrastructure, ICT, education, healthcare service delivery, sanitation, and real estate.
At this pivotal moment in our nation’s history, under the visionary leadership of President Boakai, the government has launched the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), the five-year national development plan for 2025–2029. Developed through nationwide consultations with citizens from all walks of life, youth, farmers, entrepreneurs, persons with disabilities, diasporans, civil society, and the private sector, the AAID charts a bold and inclusive course for Liberia’s future.
Anchored in six strategic pillars, the AAID seeks to:
1. Revitalize agribusiness for food security and sustainable employment;
2. Modernize infrastructure to enhance connectivity and commerce;
3. Strengthen governance, rule of law, and institutional capacity;
4. Invest in human capital through education, health, and youth and women’s empowerment;
5. Advance public health and sanitation; and
6. Harness Liberia’s natural and cultural resources to diversify the economy and expand tourism.
This comprehensive, people-centered roadmap aims to reduce poverty, foster inclusive growth, and elevate every region of Liberia. The AAID envisions a nation of opportunity, equity, and shared prosperity, a vision that resonates deeply with the spirit of this gathering, where young minds and experienced leaders converge in collaboration and purpose.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, this is the Liberia we invite you to know, hospitable, people-centered, and rich in opportunities. We welcome you as friends of our nation, encouraging you to visit, engage, and invest. The Embassy stands ready to facilitate your connections with relevant institutions, enabling you to contribute to the ongoing history of Africa’s oldest republic.
To the young leaders of the Next African Generation, your dedication to shaping Africa’s future is both inspiring and essential. You are the architects of tomorrow. Lead with integrity, embrace knowledge, and let innovation guide your actions. Build bridges, empower communities, and transform challenges into opportunities. Stand boldly as champions of Africa’s voice on the global stage, ensuring that our culture, potential, and perspectives are recognized and celebrated. The journey ahead is yours to define, with wisdom, courage, and unwavering commitment.
Liberia remains committed to empowering youth and nurturing collaboration with thinkers, innovators, and future leaders like you. May this evening serve as a reminder that Africa’s next generation is already shaping the world through academia, science, culture, governance, and entrepreneurship.
Again, on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia, I extend to you a warm and heartfelt welcome. Thank you for your partnership, your vision, and your dedication to building a stronger, more prosperous Africa. May tonight inspire meaningful dialogue, spark enduring collaborations, and deepen your appreciation of Liberia, its history, its culture, and its ambitious path toward inclusive development under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
Long live Liberia!
Long live African solidarity!
Thank you!
~End~
2 Comments
buôn người
mua bán lao động trẻ em