REMARKS

BY

HIS EXCELLENCY DR. GEORGE MANNEH WEAH

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

AT THE

CELEBRATION OF THE 78TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS

ONE UN HOUSE,

MONROVIA, LIBERIA

OCTOBER 31, 2023

The Deputy Speaker and Members of the Legislature here Present;

Honorable Dean and Members of the Cabinet;

Madam Christine N. Umutoni, United Nations Resident Coordinator;

The United Nations Country Team;

The Doyen and Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

Traditional Leaders, Women, Youth and Civil Society Organizations;

Members of the Fourth Estate;

DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

I am honored to join you in celebrating the 78th Anniversary of the United Nations Organization and to extend greetings on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in my own name.

The United Nations was established Seventy-Eight (78) years ago to maintain international peace and security and to achieve cooperation among nations on economic, social, and humanitarian problems. Indeed, we are proud that Liberia, was one of the three (3) African Countries that signed the United Nations Charter as Founding Members of the United Nations along with the Forty-seven (47) countries outside of Africa.

The signing of this charter brought forth an organization that continues to be relentless in its efforts geared towards maintaining world peace and security; improving the social and economic conditions of peoples around the world; and bridging the differences among nations to enable them to peacefully coexist.

Liberia remains committed to the aims, aspirations, and objectives of the United Nations today, as it was Seventy-eight (78) years ago. Liberia, therefore, reaffirms its belief in the United Nations as the global platform on which the world will continue to experience peace, security, and harmony.

The theme of this year’s celebration, “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals in Liberia Towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability for All”, is a clarion call for Liberians to define their priority toward the 2030 Agenda.

Liberia strongly believes that the Pacific settlement of disputes is the best alternative to aggression or “might makes right”.

Despite the severe challenges it has faced over the years, the United Nations has succeeded in holding the world together, which is a testament of its ability, quality, and prospects.

EXCELLENCIES, DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

We in Liberia are happy that the United Nations has, to a large extent, lived up to its mission of saving succeeding generations from wars, genocides and misery. The United Nations should continue its endeavors in leading the world to restore calm and peace in all the regions in our world where there are conflicts and trouble.

Liberia remains committed to contributing to peace building missions with the most recent and largest deployment of Liberian peacekeepers, which served in the United Nations Integrated Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

As a manifestation of our commitment to peace and security, Liberia endorsed the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) Initiative, which aims to strengthen peacekeeping through more targeted mandate, stronger and safer operations, better equipped and trained forces, and by mobilizing support for political solutions.

EXCELLENCIES, DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

Liberia’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda is reflected within the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), with major targets including job creation, infrastructure development, industrialization, access to affordable healthcare and education, and the sustenance of peace and security to keep the nation focused on its future development agenda.

It is in this light that my Government has been keen on road connectivity, free education and healthcare delivery. We have also taken care to ensure respect and protection of the inalienable rights of citizens, protection of human rights, press freedom, and the ongoing fight against corruption.

DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

This year’s celebration falls in line with our political season, where we have seen Liberians exercise their democratic rights through the election of Senators and Representatives, and are poised to embark upon the runoff election for their President on Tuesday, November 14th in a free, fair, peaceful and transparent process.

I want to thank the United Nations and all our international and national partners and friends for the support given towards our journey to sustainable democracy. I pledge to continue to uphold the confidence reposed in me to guide the process and ensure our collective action towards actualizing the 2030 Agenda.

I want you all to give a round of applause to our local media, for they kept the strength and peace of this country throughout the elections.  The fact that they were able to defuse the lies and misguided statements for  peace to continue in our  country, they deserve better.  We must empower them so our country can remain peaceful.

I thank you.