Liberia Prepares National Position For Global Summit Of The Future

By P. Vangerline Kpotoe

Liberia has initiated a series of consultations aimed at developing and validating an inclusive national position for the upcoming Global Summit of the Future.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning dated September 11, 2024, this high-level summit will convene world leaders at the United Nations later this month, adding that the goal of the summit is to build a new global consensus focused on enhancing the present and safeguarding the future.

According to the statement, a key focus of the summit will be the adoption of the Pact for the Future, which encompasses a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, stressing that the dual objectives are to speed up the implementation of existing international commitments and to address emerging global challenges and opportunities.

“To ensure the voices of Liberia’s youth and children are included, consultations have already been held in Ganta, Nimba for youths and in Monrovia, for children. These discussions addressed immediate challenges, proposed long-term strategies, and created a platform for advocacy on behalf of Liberia’s younger generation.

During a recent one-day national consultation event, organized by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in collaboration with the Ministries of Youth and Sports, Gender, Children and Social Protection, and Foreign Affairs, the statement quoted Deputy Finance Minister Tanneh Brunson as emphasizing the vital role of youth in Liberia’s development agenda, referring to them as the “tomorrow’s people,”.

Brunson urged that the interests of young people be prioritized at the summit.

Subsequently, United Nations Resident Representative Christine Umutoni, in her statement, underscored Liberia’s alignment with the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and stressed the importance of ambition, solidarity, and a commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She further noted that the national consultation should reflect the aspirations of Liberia’s youth and children, the future leaders of the nation.

UNDP Resident Coordinator Mr. Anthony Ohyemeng-Boamah acknowledged the multiple challenges Liberia faces, including climate change, global health crises, technological disruptions, and socioeconomic inequalities.

He emphasized the need for multilateral cooperation to address these challenges and leverage opportunities in an increasingly complex world.