By: Fiona Benson Kollie
The House of Representatives has commenced review of several international conventions and protocols submitted for ratification by President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. The House has mandated its Committees on Commerce & Industry; Information, Broadcasting & Tourism; Foreign Affairs; and Judiciary to conduct a comprehensive review of the instruments over a period of one month. Upon conclusion of the review, the committees are expected to report to plenary for legislative consideration and action. The review followed a formal communication from President Boakai requesting legislative enactment of the following international instruments: Basic Texts of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2023 Edition); Basic Text of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2022 Edition); African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) Kampala Protocol on Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights (2011); African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (2015); International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (1961), as revised in 1972, 1978, and 1991; WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (2024); WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (1996); and WIPO Copyright Treaty (1996). In his communication, read in plenary during the 15th Day sitting of the 1st Quarter of the 3rd session, President Boakai emphasized that these instruments represent strategic policy initiatives with far-reaching implications for Liberia’s cultural preservation, intellectual property governance, investment promotion, and sustainable national development. “These instruments collectively represent strategic policy initiatives with far-reaching implications for Liberia’s cultural preservation, intellectual property management, investment promotion, and sustainable national development,” the President stated. He further noted that ratification would significantly strengthen Liberia’s intellectual property rights framework, enhance protection for cultural heritage and traditional knowledge, and advance regional stability and economic integration. Given the importance of these instruments to national development and international cooperation, the President respectfully urged the Honorable Legislature to ratify them.
The House’s review marks a significant step toward aligning Liberia’s legal and policy frameworks with international standards and reinforcing the country’s commitment to cultural diversity, innovation, and sustainable growth.