President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, delivered the keynote address at the 71st graduation ceremony of the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute (FSI).
The ceremony was held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Oldest Congo Town, outside Monrovia.
It marked a historic milestone as the Institute graduated 120 students, the largest class in its 74-year history, representing participants.
they were drawn from the Regular Academic Program of the Madam Suakoko Graduate Program for Female Diplomats, and the Refresher and Orientation Program for elected and appointed officials.
Pres. Boakai commended the Institute for it continued legacy of excellence and transformation into a center of diplomatic distinction.
He praised the FSI for rebranding and modernizing its curriculum to meet international standards, particularly at a time when Liberia is preparing to assume a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
“The Institute does not merely train; it transforms,” Boakai said.
He added: “FSI equipped its graduates, not only to represent the country, but to serve as architects of our expanding global influence.”
The President lauded the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Director General, faculty, and administration of the FSI for fostering partnerships with regional and global institutions such as the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the Foreign Service Academy of Sierra Leone, the International Relations Institute of Cameroon, and the Institute of Diplomatic Studies in Egypt.
He said these collaborations are key to ensure that Liberia diplomats are globally competitive, and prepared to address the complex challenges of the 21st century.
To the graduates, Boakai charged them to uphold to
be advocates for Liberia’s prosperity; promoting economic diplomacy and attracting responsible investment; be architects of peace and regional stability sustaining Liberia’s role as a credible partner for peace and integration in the Mano River Union, ECOWAS, and the African Union; be good examples of integrity and service; upholding the highest ethical and professional standard, and
be champions of the ARREST Agenda, advancing the national development framework.
The framework is aimed at transforming the country economy and governance.
Boakai reminded the graduates of their duty to represent Liberia’s interests and values with “integrity, wisdom and distinction.”
He urged them to be results-driven diplomats, who not only attend formal events, but also bring tangible benefits to the Liberian people.