-Over 150 Delegates From Africa and Asia Expected as Government Seeks Global Solutions for Local Development
MONROVIA, Liberia – Liberia is set to host a major international policy dialogue aimed at strengthening local governance and accelerating rural development, as experts, policymakers, and development practitioners from Africa and Asia converge on the country next week.
The weeklong International Roundtable Policy on Local Governance and Rural Development will take place from June 7–13, 2026, at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County under the theme: “Advancing Local Governance and Rural Development for an Inclusive and Prosperous Future.”
The high-level forum is being organized by the Ministry of Local Government in partnership with the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), an intergovernmental organization headquartered in New Delhi, India, that promotes rural development cooperation among member states across Africa and Asia.
Officials say the gathering will provide Liberia with a unique platform to learn from international best practices while advancing the government’s decentralization and rural transformation agenda.
Boakai to Headline Opening Ceremony
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is expected to officially open the roundtable, underscoring the administration’s commitment to strengthening local governance structures and improving service delivery in rural communities.
Also expected to address the gathering is Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary-General of AARDO, along with senior government officials, international development experts, county authorities, and representatives of partner institutions.
The event is expected to attract more than 150 participants, including approximately 30 international experts from AARDO member countries, 15 Liberian resource persons, county superintendents, county development officers, policymakers, and representatives from various government ministries and agencies.
Delegates are expected from countries including India, Japan, Portugal, Romania, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ghana, The Gambia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Morocco, Oman, and Sri Lanka, among others.
Supporting the ARREST Agenda
According to the Ministry of Local Government, the forum is aligned with the Boakai administration’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which prioritizes governance reforms, rural transformation, economic empowerment, and improved public service delivery.
The Ministry said discussions during the roundtable will focus on how international experiences can help Liberia strengthen local institutions, enhance citizen participation, and build more resilient and sustainable rural communities.
Officials believe the exchange of ideas and lessons learned from other countries could support Liberia’s ongoing decentralization efforts and improve governance at the county and district levels.
Focus on Rural Transformation
Several key thematic areas will dominate discussions during the conference.
Participants are expected to examine issues related to local governance and decentralization, agriculture-led development, community-driven initiatives, institutional capacity building, and human resource development at the local level.
Other sessions will focus on financing rural development, digital governance and service delivery, climate resilience, sanitation, policy integration, and strengthening the rule of law in support of sustainable development.
The forum will also explore how technology and innovation can improve public services in rural communities and enhance citizen access to government programs.
Learning From International Experiences
A major objective of the roundtable is to provide Liberia with access to successful governance and rural development models implemented in other AARDO member countries.
Established in 1962, AARDO is an autonomous, non-political intergovernmental organization comprising more than 30 member countries across Africa and Asia. Liberia is among its member states.
Over the decades, the organization has promoted knowledge-sharing, technical cooperation, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving living conditions in rural communities.
Government officials say Liberia stands to benefit from comparative experiences in areas such as decentralized governance, agricultural modernization, local economic development, community participation, and institutional reform.
Strengthening Local Institutions
The Ministry of Local Government believes the conference comes at a critical time as Liberia continues efforts to deepen decentralization and strengthen local governance institutions established under the Local Government Act.
Officials say stronger local institutions are essential to improving accountability, expanding access to public services, promoting inclusive development, and ensuring that rural communities play a greater role in shaping their own development priorities.
The forum is expected to generate policy recommendations and practical strategies that could help Liberia refine its governance architecture and accelerate progress toward sustainable rural development.
As preparations intensify for the event, stakeholders are hopeful that the gathering will serve as a catalyst for stronger partnerships, innovative policy solutions, and renewed commitment to improving the lives of Liberians living in rural communities across the country.
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