President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has emphasized the importance of aligning efforts and resources, building institutional capacity, promoting innovation, and ensuring transparency and accountability to rebuild public trust.
Acknowledging the ambitious goal of mobilizing 8.4 billion dollars over the next five years to implement the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, the Liberian leader reaffirmed his government’s commitment to working with all stakeholders including the banking sector, private sector partners, civil society organizations, international development partners, and the Liberian people to foster sustainable growth, mobilize local resources, and advance Liberia’s national development goals.
He made the statement when he delivered a keynote address at the Government of Liberia and Development Partners’ Retreat held at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Oldest Congo Town.
Speaking under the theme: “Strengthening Partnerships for the Implementation of Liberia’s National Plan, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development;” President Boakai said it is essential to build an economy that creates jobs, provides income, and delivers services to the people on a better foundation of peace.
The Chief Executive who used the occasion to thank the United Nations and all development partners for their continued support to Liberia also emphasized the urgent need for collective action to tackle Liberia’s complex development challenges, including youth unemployment, gender inequality, institutional capacity deficits, and global funding uncertainties.
In his address, President Boakai informed the gathering of the ARREST Agenda’s focus on six strategic pillars—Agriculture, Roads (Infrastructure), Rule of Law and Governance, Education, Sanitation and Health, and Tourism.
He, at the same time, called for enhanced strategic partnerships, innovative financing solutions, and inclusive collaboration.
“Our challenges are intricate and multi-dimensional,” President Boakai noted, stressing the need for transformative change to generate economic opportunities, particularly for youth, women, and persons living with disabilities,” President Boakai noted.
Moreover, he urged development partners to focus not only on peacebuilding interventions, but also on addressing the root causes of Liberia’s development hurdles.
Meanwhile, the one- day government and development partners retreat with focus on the “AAID,” brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners, private sector representatives, civil society, and the Liberian diaspora.