President Boakai Calls for Stronger Diaspora Partnership, Sets Five Commitments for National Development

Addressing the 2nd Annual Diaspora Conference in Alexandria, Virginia, on Saturday, September 26, President Boakai said the Diaspora remains an integral part of the Liberian nation and a critical partner in advancing the country’s development agenda.

The President spoke under the theme "From Dialogue to Delivery: Mobilizing the Global Liberian Diaspora for National Transformation.”

President Boakai recalled his commitment at last year’s conference to ensuring that Liberians abroad are treated not as observers, but as full stakeholders in Liberia’s future.

He described the Liberian Diaspora as Liberia’s “16th County” and “Fifth Estate,” citing its knowledge, skills, capital, professional networks, advocacy, and international experience as valuable resources for national transformation.

The President said the Government has made progress in strengthening Diaspora engagement, including support for the establishment of the Legislative Diaspora Caucus, increased institutional support for the Office of Diaspora Affairs through the National Budget, and continued efforts toward a durable legal and institutional framework for Diaspora participation.

He also welcomed ongoing efforts to better understand the size, location, skills, institutions, and development potential of Liberians abroad, including the Rapid Survey conducted through Liberia’s diplomatic missions.

According to President Boakai, Liberia needs a credible and regularly updated Diaspora information system to connect professional skills with national needs, investors with opportunities, institutions with potential partners, and younger generations abroad with their country of heritage.

The President emphasized that Diaspora engagement must be a reciprocal partnership, noting that Government has a responsibility to create the conditions necessary for Liberians abroad to invest, return, transfer skills, and build partnerships with Liberia.

He cited the Government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development as the framework guiding efforts to improve infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, governance, the rule of law, and the business and investment environment.

President Boakai also referenced Liberia’s recent achievement of crossing the one-billion-dollar mark in domestic revenue, stressing that the significance of increased national revenue must ultimately be reflected in improved public services, infrastructure, employment opportunities, and livelihoods.

He said the next phase of Diaspora engagement must complement remittances with productive investment, skills transfer, and institution building.

The President encouraged Liberian professionals abroad—including doctors, educators, engineers, technology professionals, entrepreneurs, and young people—to establish practical partnerships with institutions and communities in Liberia.

He cited the Maryland–Liberia partnership as an example of the bridges that can be built through Diaspora engagement, particularly in trade, education, agriculture, technology, infrastructure, workforce development, and investment.

To translate the conference into measurable results, President Boakai outlined five practical commitments:

First, organize the global Liberian community through stronger coordination among Diaspora organizations, professionals, businesses, youth, women, and diplomatic missions.

Second, connect skills to national needs by creating practical pathways for Liberian professionals abroad to teach, mentor, advise, volunteer, and provide specialized services.

Third, turn capital into productive investment through credible projects, professional due diligence, transparent rules, and investment mechanisms capable of creating businesses, infrastructure, and jobs.

Fourth, invest in the next generation by connecting young Liberians abroad to Liberia through internships, mentorship, innovation, cultural exchange, service, and investment opportunities.

Fifth, measure delivery by ensuring that major conference recommendations have a lead institution, designated partners, timelines, and measurable outcomes.

President Boakai urged Liberians at home and abroad to maintain unity of purpose despite differences in politics, policies, personalities, and priorities.

“Liberia needs a Diaspora that can debate vigorously and still work together; criticize constructively and still contribute; demand accountability and also accept responsibility,” the President said.

He also called on Liberians abroad to support the country’s international engagement as Liberia serves on the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term, noting that the Diaspora can help expand opportunities for investment, knowledge transfer, technology, education, tourism, and development cooperation.

“Diaspora diplomacy is not a substitute for the work of Government. It is a force multiplier for the work of the Republic,” President Boakai stated.

The President urged Liberians to make “From Dialogue to Delivery” more than the theme of an annual gathering, but a standard for measuring progress and accountability.

“We have talked. We have listened. We have consulted. Now we must organize, invest, serve, connect, and deliver,” President Boakai declared.

He encouraged Liberians who can return permanently, those who can return periodically to serve, and those who must contribute from abroad to see themselves as part of Liberia’s national development effort.

President Boakai concluded by calling for patriotism to be translated into participation, participation into projects, and projects into measurable improvements in the lives of Liberians.

“In all that we do, let us always think Liberia, love Liberia, and together build Liberia,” President Boakai said.

The President’s participation in the 2nd Annual Diaspora Conference forms part of his broader engagement with Liberians abroad and efforts to strengthen Diaspora participation in Liberia’s national development.