Published: January 23, 2026
Davos, Switzerland — Liberia is pitching itself to the world not as a post-conflict country in need of sympathy, but as a credible partner whose economic growth can strengthen peace and security, Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti told global leaders and investors on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.
Nyanti delivered the message during a closed-door dialogue at the Financial Times House, where she urged governments, multilateral institutions and private-sector executives to rethink how they engage Liberia—and to view economic cooperation as a practical tool for peacebuilding and long-term stability.
Conveying greetings from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., the foreign minister said the presence of senior international partners at the round-table signaled renewed confidence in Liberia’s direction and a shared belief that the country is entering a new phase defined by proactive engagement rather than dependency.
“Liberia today is redefining its place in the world,” Nyanti told participants. “Not as a recipient of goodwill, but as an active partner in global economic diplomacy, peace building, and multilateral cooperation.”
She said the meeting’s deliberately small format was intended to move beyond broad talking points toward concrete alignment—between public and private capital, Liberia’s development priorities and global responsibilities, and economic growth and international peace and security.
At the center of Liberia’s pitch was Nyanti’s argument that economic diplomacy has expanded far beyond trade missions and investment promotion. She said modern economic diplomacy now includes job creation, institutional strengthening, climate resilience and regional stability—factors she described as inseparable from national and international security.
“Sustainable growth itself is a security strategy,” she said. “Peace cannot be sustained by diplomacy or security instruments alone—it requires inclusive economies, credible governance, and long-term international partnerships.”
Nyanti linked Liberia’s domestic agenda to its wider multilateral posture, pointing to the country’s engagement within the United Nations system, including its peacekeeping contributions, as part of what she called Liberia’s broader commitment to global cooperation.
She highlighted three areas she said strengthen Liberia’s standing internationally: democratic credibility built through peaceful transitions; strategic relevance as a stable democracy in West Africa facing overlapping pressures from climate change, security challenges and economic opportunity; and readiness for partnerships grounded in accountability and shared purpose.
“These strengths position Liberia as a reliable and forward-looking partner,” she said, “not only for investment, but for peace-building and global problem-solving.”
Nyanti also framed the round-table as a results-oriented engagement aimed at actionable collaboration rather than general pledges.
“This round-table is not about promises,” she said. “It is about practical pathways—how strategic investments can reinforce Liberia’s role as a responsible global actor, and how economic partnerships can support peace, climate security, and regional stability.”
With geopolitical tensions rising and traditional alliances under strain, Nyanti argued that countries able to bridge development and diplomacy will become increasingly important in the international system. Liberia, she said, intends to play that role.
“We are ready to listen, to test assumptions, and to identify mutual interests,” Nyanti told participants. “Liberia intends to be such a country, and we look to partners like you to help shape that future.”
Nyanti said the session ended with what she described as candid engagement among global leaders and investors, reflecting growing recognition that economic diplomacy—applied strategically—can serve as a force for peace.
In Davos, where debates often center on markets, technology and geopolitics, Liberia’s message was pointed: prosperity and peace are intertwined, and investment partnerships can help deliver both.
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