New York, USA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. used Liberia’s appearance before the 81st United Nations General Assembly to showcase the country’s ARREST Agenda as a national transformation strategy while urging stronger international support for climate justice, youth development, artificial intelligence governance, and regional security cooperation.
Delivering Liberia’s national statement on Thursday, September 24, Boakai presented his administration’s domestic reform program as evidence that countries emerging from conflict can rebuild institutions, strengthen accountability, and pursue inclusive economic growth with sustained international partnership.
The President linked Liberia’s internal development priorities to broader global challenges, arguing that peace, economic opportunity, environmental protection, and technological innovation must advance together if nations are to restore confidence in international cooperation.
At the center of his message was Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which focuses on Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism.
Boakai told world leaders that his administration has already begun translating those priorities into measurable action through improvements in revenue administration and infrastructure development, particularly rural road projects designed to connect farming communities with commercial markets.
He presented those initiatives as part of a wider effort to strengthen public accountability, improve financial management, combat corruption, and rebuild public confidence in state institutions.
The Liberian leader also highlighted his government’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary, describing confidence in public institutions as an essential ingredient for lasting democratic governance.
Climate change featured prominently throughout Boakai’s address as he argued that Liberia represents one of the clearest examples of the imbalance between environmental responsibility and environmental impact.
Although Liberia contributes only a tiny fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions, he said communities across the country continue to experience coastal erosion, flooding, and disrupted agricultural cycles that threaten livelihoods and food security.
Boakai reminded delegates that Liberia protects approximately forty-two percent of the remaining Upper Guinean Rainforest, one of the world’s most important carbon sinks.
He argued that preserving those forests delivers benefits far beyond Liberia’s borders and therefore deserves stronger international financial support.
The President called on industrialized countries to fulfill existing climate financing commitments and fully operationalize international loss-and-damage mechanisms that assist vulnerable countries facing climate-related disasters.
His speech also focused heavily on Liberia’s youthful population.
Boakai noted that more than sixty percent of Africa’s population is under the age of twenty-five and described young people as the continent’s greatest engine of innovation.
He urged governments and development partners to expand investments in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, digital literacy, and technical education so African youth can become creators within the global digital economy rather than remaining consumers of technologies developed elsewhere.
On emerging technologies, Boakai welcomed international efforts to establish stronger governance frameworks for artificial intelligence.
He endorsed work surrounding the Secretary-General’s Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence while warning that developing countries must not become passive recipients of algorithms designed outside their societies.
The President advocated binding ethical standards for artificial intelligence, particularly regarding military applications, arguing that technological progress must serve human development rather than contribute to destruction.
Gender equality formed another key pillar of Liberia’s message.
Boakai reaffirmed his government’s commitment to expanding political, economic, and social opportunities for women and girls, emphasizing that stronger female participation contributes to more durable peace agreements, stronger economies, and more accountable governance.
Security remained closely connected to Liberia’s development message.
As a current member of the United Nations Security Council, Boakai outlined Liberia’s efforts to combat organized crime, cyber threats, and narcotics trafficking through joint security operations while seeking stronger international cooperation on maritime surveillance, intelligence sharing, and port security technologies.
Throughout his address, Boakai repeatedly returned to the idea that Liberia’s own history demonstrates the value of rebuilding institutions after conflict.
He argued that the country’s journey from civil war toward constitutional democracy offers practical evidence that dialogue, accountable governance, and international cooperation can restore trust and create lasting transformation.
Closing his speech, Boakai urged the United Nations to become an institution that produces measurable results for ordinary people by protecting vulnerable communities, advancing human dignity, and ensuring that no nation is left behind as global challenges continue to evolve.
