Monrovia – Liberia has launched a series of consultations to gather and validate input for a well-informed and inclusive national position ahead of the upcoming Global Summit of the Future.
This high-level event, set to take place at the United Nations in September, will bring world leaders together to forge a new international consensus aimed at addressing current challenges and safeguarding the future.
The summit will focus on adopting the Pact for the Future, which includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. The dual objectives are to accelerate the fulfillment of existing international commitments and address emerging challenges and opportunities.
To ensure that the voices of Liberian children and youth are prominently represented, consultations have already been conducted in Ganta, Nimba, for youths and in Monrovia, Montserrado, for children. These sessions aimed to address immediate challenges, propose long-term strategies, and establish a unified platform for advocacy on behalf of the younger generation.
At a recent one-day national consultation and consensus-building 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, and supported financially and technically by the United Nations in Liberia, Deputy Finance Minister Hon. Tanneh Brunson emphasized the crucial role of youth in Liberia’s development agenda. Referring to them as the “tomorrow people,” Hon. Brunson urged that the interests of young people be prioritized at the summit.
United Nations Resident Representative Christine Umutoni, in her special statement, highlighted Liberia’s alignment with the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. She stressed the importance of clarity of purpose, ambition, solidarity, and a commitment to transformation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ms. Umutoni underscored that the national consultation should reflect the aspirations of children and youth, who are the future leaders of Liberia. UNDP Resident Coordinator Mr. Anthony Ohyemeng-Boamah acknowledged the multiple challenges Liberia faces, including climate change, global health issues, technological disruptions, and socioeconomic inequalities. He emphasized the need for multilateral cooperation and partnerships to address these challenges and leverage opportunities in an increasingly complex world.
He commended the Liberian government for its efforts in organizing the National Forum on the Summit of the Future, praising the inclusive and consultative approach adopted to develop a well-informed national position. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing sustainable development, financing, and international peace and security.
Roberto Randolph Cooper Jr., Speaker of the Liberia National Children Forum, and Banica Stephenie Elliot of the Federation of Liberia Youths, presented resolutions from the children and youth of Liberia. Cooper called for the full implementation of children’s rights, enhanced access to digital technology, and improved governance.
This national consultation reaffirms Liberia’s commitment to ensuring that the voices of its youth and children play a central role in shaping the country’s position at the Global Summit of the Future.
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