Published: October 7, 2026
LOWEWR MARGIBI — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai says Liberia’s participation in the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly strengthened the country’s voice on the international stage, while creating greater opportunities to advance its positions and attract diaspora Liberians back home for investment.
Boakai made the remarks Tuesday, Oct. 6, upon his return to Liberia through Roberts International Airport following engagements in the United States.
The president said Liberia’s participation in the global gathering was well received and provided the country with greater space to articulate its positions and make its views better understood by the international community.
“As you understand, our participation was well received because we were very comprehensive in our engagements. We believe our participation has strengthened our voice and given Liberia extra recognition and greater space to do the right work,” Boakai said.
“I believe we have been given the opportunity to express our opinions and positions and to make the world understand Liberia better,” he added.
Turning to his engagements with Liberians in the diaspora, Boakai said his administration was moving beyond simply encouraging Liberians abroad to return home and was now seeking to translate those discussions into action.
“We started talking, encouraging them to come home. Now we are moving from talking to making sure that they come to see us,” Boakai said.
He said the government encouraged diaspora Liberians to visit the country, explore opportunities and consider establishing businesses.
“We started by encouraging them to come home. Now, we are moving from talking to taking action and making sure that they come to see what is happening in Liberia. We told them that it has been a long time since we have seen them, and that it is time for them to come home and go into business,” he said.
According to Boakai, he held several meetings with diaspora Liberians who expressed interest in returning to invest and establish themselves in the country.
“I think it’s been well received because we had a lot of meetings with people in the diaspora who are willing to come to Liberia to invest and begin to recognize themselves in Liberia,” he said, adding that the effort was “gaining a lot of momentum.”
Boakai also renewed Africa’s push for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council, saying the continent deserves a stronger role in global decision-making.
“I think Africa deserves a seat on the Security Council as a common man and a decision-maker because we are the future of this world,” he said.
The president pointed to Africa’s population and contribution to global affairs as reasons the continent should have a greater voice in decisions affecting international peace, security and the global economy.
“We were there from the beginning. We are not newcomers,” Boakai said, adding that Africa’s young population would contribute significantly to global peace and the world economy.
He said African countries must continue making their position known internationally.
“We talk about it, and people are listening,” he said.
Boakai said Africa was gaining greater recognition because of its population, future prospects and growing position in international affairs.
“And I think Africa is gaining respect in terms of not just our population and our future, and in terms of our positioning to make sure that they know we have a position to make,” he said.
On Liberia’s contribution to international affairs, Boakai said the country’s role was becoming increasingly recognized, particularly in the United States.
“You may not know about it, but it’s getting more prominent in the United States,” he said.
Boakai expressed optimism that Africa would ultimately secure permanent representation on the Security Council.
“I think we will eventually get the vote to make sure that we are on the Security Council as prominent members,” he said.
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