New York, USA - His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, delivered a compelling address at the General Debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Speaking under the global theme, “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development, and Human Rights,” President Boakai highlighted Liberia’s dedication to peace, justice, and inclusive development while calling for urgent global action on key challenges confronting humanity.

The Liberian Leader began by congratulating the President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly and commending the Secretary-General for his leadership. He expressed pride in Liberia’s historic role as one of the signatories to the UN Charter in 1945 and lauded the Organization for its continued relevance as the cornerstone of multilateral cooperation.

Liberia’s Election to the UN Security Council

President Boakai expressed profound gratitude to member states for electing Liberia to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term, marking the country’s first full tenure since the founding of the UN 80 years ago.

“While the nameplate during this two-year term will read Liberia, the seat belongs to Africa,” he emphasized. “Our contributions will be guided by our experiences in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and governance.” He added.

He assured Liberia’s strides to championing Africa’s collective voice on global peace and called for permanent African representation as part of the UN Security Council reform agenda.

Call for Renewed Multilateralism

Amid global conflicts and growing mistrust in international systems, President Boakai made a powerful appeal for renewed multilateralism, warning that reversing it “is not an option for a just and peaceful world.” He urged nations to act together in defense of humanity rather than in pursuit of narrow national interests.

He reiterated Liberia’s pledge to dialogue and diplomacy, voicing strong support for mediation efforts in the Russia-Ukraine and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, and reaffirmed Liberia’s support for the two-state solution in line with international law and UN resolutions.

Climate Change and Climate Justice

Turning to climate change, President Boakai described it as “a present reality, not a distant threat,” noting its devastating effects on Liberia’s coastlines and communities. He highlighted national initiatives such as coastal defense projects, early warning systems, and a blue economy strategy, but stressed that these efforts alone are insufficient.

He urged the global community to fully implement the Paris Agreement, capitalize the Loss and Damage Fund, and invest more heavily in climate adaptation and mitigation.

“Those who contribute the least to this crisis should not be forced to suffer the most,” he said, calling for Climate Justice.

Reform of the Global Financial Architecture

President Boakai also joined other leaders from the Global South in demanding reforms to the international financial system, describing the current structure as “outdated and unjust.” He decried the burden of debt servicing on developing nations, arguing that it undermines investments in education, health, and development.

“Shared prosperity requires a financial system that truly leaves no nation behind,” he asserted.

Inclusive Development and Governance at Home

Highlighting Liberia’s national priorities, President Boakai said the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development—focusing on Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Technology—remains central to achieving Liberia’s Vision 2030 and transforming the country into a lower-middle-income nation.

He emphasized his administration’s ongoing efforts to fight corruption, strengthen accountability through asset declarations, and improve governance and service delivery.

Justice and National Healing

President Boakai asserted his government’s call to national reconciliation and justice, citing initiatives that honor victims of the civil war and promote memorialization. He renewed Liberia’s appeal for international support in establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court, saying it is vital to achieving “lasting peace and genuine national healing.”

Renewing the UN for a Changing World

Concluding his address, President Boakai endorsed the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact, stressing that the UN must modernize to meet contemporary challenges.

“Using 1945 solutions to tackle 2025 challenges is neither reasonable nor realistic,” he stated.

He recommitted Liberia’s drive in accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aligning national efforts with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and ECOWAS Vision 2050, and announced that Liberia will present its next Voluntary National Review in 2026.

In closing, President Boakai reminded world leaders that the UN’s founding ideals remain as relevant as ever:

“The challenges before us are immense—so too must be our collective capacity to overcome them. Liberia pledges to remain a bridge to peace, a partner in development, and a defender of human rights.” He said.