–President Welcomes Expanded Collaboration as UNDP Backs Delivery Unit, County Innovation Hubs, JFK Digitalization, Climate Financing, and Youth Development
PAYNESVILLE, Liberia – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has unveiled an ambitious package of new initiatives aimed at accelerating Liberia’s governance reforms, digital transformation, healthcare modernization, climate resilience, and youth empowerment, signaling a deeper strategic partnership with the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.
The renewed commitment was announced Thursday when UNDP Resident Representative Aliou Mamadou Dia paid a courtesy visit to President Boakai at his Rehab Office in Paynesville to review ongoing development programs and identify new areas of collaboration aligned with the Government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
The high-level engagement underscored UNDP’s expanding role as one of Liberia’s principal development partners, with support now extending beyond traditional governance reforms into emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital public services, climate adaptation, and innovation-driven economic growth.
Welcoming the UNDP delegation, President Boakai expressed appreciation for the organization’s longstanding partnership with Liberia and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with international development partners to strengthen public institutions, improve service delivery, expand opportunities for young people, and improve the quality of life for ordinary Liberians.
“Our development agenda requires strong institutions and trusted partners,” President Boakai said, welcoming deeper collaboration in sectors critical to Liberia’s long-term transformation.
UNDP Backs President’s Delivery Agenda
One of the key highlights of the meeting was UNDP’s continued support for the Government’s Performance Management and Compliance System (PMCS), one of President Boakai’s flagship governance reforms designed to improve accountability, efficiency, and results across public institutions.
Dia informed the President that UNDP stands ready to support the operationalization of the President’s Delivery Unit, an institution expected to monitor, coordinate, and accelerate implementation of the administration’s priority development projects.
The Delivery Unit is expected to play a central role in tracking government performance, ensuring ministries and agencies meet agreed targets, and improving accountability throughout the public sector.
The announcement comes as the Boakai administration intensifies efforts to institutionalize performance-based governance and strengthen public confidence in government service delivery.
Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Take Center Stage
In one of the meeting’s most forward-looking discussions, UNDP outlined plans to help position Liberia for the rapidly evolving digital economy.
Dia disclosed that the organization is working with the Government to establish County Innovation Hubs across Liberia, creating spaces where young entrepreneurs, innovators, students, and technology professionals can develop digital solutions to local challenges.
He also updated the President on ongoing collaboration to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity Center at the University of Liberia, a project designed to equip Liberian youth with cutting-edge digital skills needed to compete in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
If successfully implemented, the initiative would represent one of Liberia’s most significant investments in artificial intelligence education and cybersecurity capacity-building.
The proposed center is expected to strengthen research, digital innovation, cybersecurity awareness, and workforce development while preparing young Liberians for emerging careers in technology.
Climate Change Moves Higher on National Agenda
Climate resilience also featured prominently during the discussions.
Dia briefed President Boakai on UNDP’s efforts to mobilize additional international climate financing to support vulnerable Liberian communities increasingly threatened by rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events.
Among the priority interventions discussed were coastal protection projects in West Point, Sinoe County, and other climate-vulnerable coastal communities where erosion continues to threaten homes, livelihoods, and public infrastructure.
Liberia remains one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change despite contributing only a negligible share of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Successive governments have increasingly prioritized climate adaptation, environmental protection, and resilience-building as essential components of national development.
Healthcare Modernization Gains Momentum
The meeting also highlighted UNDP’s growing contribution to strengthening Liberia’s healthcare system.
Dia updated the President on ongoing support to digitize the Registration Unit at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK), a reform expected to improve patient registration, reduce administrative delays, and enhance overall efficiency at the country’s largest referral hospital.
Beyond JFK, discussions focused on broader healthcare improvements, including ongoing support for the renovation of Voinjama Hospital in Lofa County.
Dia emphasized the need to improve access to running water at the facility while also exploring support for ambulances and mobile clinics capable of reaching remote rural communities where access to healthcare remains limited.
The discussions also covered broader efforts to expand access to safe drinking water and improve essential public services in underserved communities.
Investing in Liberia’s Future Communicators
UNDP also reaffirmed its support for the Executive Mansion Communications Internship Program, describing it as a strategic investment in developing Liberia’s next generation of communications professionals.
The initiative provides practical training and professional mentorship for young Liberians interested in journalism, strategic communications, public information, and government media relations.
Dia said UNDP is exploring opportunities to further expand the program as part of its broader commitment to youth empowerment and human capital development.
Youth Summit to Bring Region to Monrovia
Looking ahead, discussions also focused on Liberia’s preparations to host the Mano River Union (MRU) YouthConnekt Summit next year in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The regional gathering is expected to bring together hundreds of young leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers, and development partners from across the Mano River Union countries.
Officials say the summit will showcase Liberia’s investment opportunities, cultural heritage, youth innovation, and development progress while strengthening regional cooperation among young people.
Supporting Peace Through Development
Dia also reaffirmed UNDP’s support for President Boakai’s peace and reconciliation agenda, describing national unity, social cohesion, and inclusive governance as essential foundations for sustainable development.
The commitment aligns with Liberia’s broader transitional justice efforts, including ongoing reconciliation initiatives and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening democracy and preventing future conflict.
For President Boakai, the meeting reflected more than another courtesy visit from an international partner.
It highlighted the increasing alignment between Liberia’s national development priorities and UNDP’s evolving support strategy—one that places equal emphasis on accountable governance, technological innovation, climate resilience, quality healthcare, youth empowerment, and inclusive economic transformation.
As Liberia seeks to accelerate implementation of its ARREST Agenda, Thursday’s discussions signaled that one of the country’s oldest development partners intends to remain at the forefront of that journey.
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