‘Founding Voice for Peace and Progress’ -UN Envoy Umutoni Describes Liberia’s Global Role

MONROVIA – Liberia, a founding member of the United Nations and the League of Nations, has long been a stalwart advocate for global cooperation and progress. With a rich history of leadership on the world stage, Liberia played a pivotal role in international endeavors, including hosting iconic global fairs and providing a safe haven for nations fighting for self-determination and independence. Despite the country’s subsequent descent into 14 years of brutal civil conflict that led to state collapse, earning it notoriety as a problem child of the international community, Liberia’s legacy as a champion of peace, justice, and freedom remains unshaken. Today, as the world celebrates the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Liberia’s contributions to the global community are being recognized and celebrated, with many familiar with its history, such as UN Country Representative Christine N. Umutoni, acknowledging the country’s enduring impact on the world stage. The Analyst reports.

As the United Nations prepares to celebrate its 80th anniversary, the UN Resident Coordinator in Liberia, Christine N. Umutoni, has described Liberia as a founding voice for peace, progress, and reform in the global community.

Speaking Tuesday at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) press briefing in Monrovia, Madam Umutoni said the celebration, scheduled to take place in Margibi County, is a significant moment for both the United Nations and Liberia, whose partnership has been deeply rooted in shared values of peace, inclusion, and human dignity.

Quoting former UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld — “The United Nations was not created to take humanity to heaven, but to save it from hell” — Madam Umutoni said the anniversary is a time to reflect on the UN’s mission and Liberia’s unique contribution to it.

 “Liberia’s role in global peace and leadership is not new,” she emphasized. “It is a legacy that dates back to 1945 when Liberia became one of only four African countries to sign the UN Charter in San Francisco. That act of global citizenship continues to define Liberia’s role today.”

Liberia’s Voice on the World Stage

The UN Resident Coordinator noted that Liberia’s election to serve on the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term represents a new chapter in the nation’s history — its first full term since the founding of the United Nations.

“For a country that endured two civil wars, this is not just symbolic; it is a profound statement that peace is never guaranteed — it is earned,” she said.

Madam Umutoni further commended President Joseph N. Boakai for his strong defense of multilateralism at the recent UN General Assembly, where he reminded world leaders that “a reversal of multilateralism is not an option for a just and peaceful world.”

She emphasized that Liberia’s seat on the Security Council will also amplify Africa’s voice. “While the nameplate may read Liberia,” she quoted the President, “the seat belongs to Africa.”

According to her, Liberia fully supports the African Union’s call for two permanent seats with veto powers and two additional non-permanent seats for the continent, describing it as “a matter of justice, balance, and legitimacy.”

From Peacebuilding to Development

Reflecting on Liberia’s transformation over the years, Madam Umutoni said the country’s partnership with the UN has evolved from peacekeeping to peacebuilding, and now to sustainable development.

She praised the Boakai administration’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), noting that it mirrors the United Nations’ commitment to putting people first.

“Liberia’s vision for inclusive development is centered on dignity — productive farms and value chains, good roads, accessible justice, quality education, and climate resilience,” she said. “These are the building blocks of peace and prosperity.”

With nearly 60 percent of Liberia’s population under the age of 25, she said the UN continues to support national efforts that promote youth empowerment, gender equality, and innovation through programs aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063 of the African Union.

Climate Change and Financial Reform

Turning to global challenges, Madam Umutoni warned that climate change remains one of the biggest threats to Liberia’s future, noting that rising sea levels and heavier rains are already undermining livelihoods and food security.

She called for the full implementation of the Paris Agreement, as well as reforms in the international financial architecture to ensure fair access to financing for developing countries.

“We must move from aid to autonomy, from extraction to equity, from dependency to dignity,” she stated, adding that Liberia is exploring innovative financing tools such as green bonds, diaspora investments, and gender-responsive finance to strengthen resilience and growth.

A Reimagined United Nations

Madam Umutoni said the upcoming “Pact for the Future” offers an opportunity to build a more inclusive, effective, and accountable United Nations.

“Liberia is investing in digital skills and youth entrepreneurship to ensure that today’s stability becomes tomorrow’s leadership,” she added, expressing hope for a Global Digital Compact that guarantees fairness, access, and privacy in technology.

Liberia’s Message to the World

In closing, Madam Umutoni reflected on Liberia’s enduring contribution to the UN’s mission and its growing influence in shaping global systems.

“Eighty years ago, Liberia helped launch the United Nations,” she said. “Today, Liberia is no longer a receiver of peace only — it is one of its builders. No longer a beneficiary of multilateralism only — it is one of its shapers.”

She said the 80th anniversary celebration in Margibi County will be both a commemoration and a recommitment to the ideals that the United Nations stands for — peace, progress, and partnership.

“Liberia’s experience offers lessons beyond its borders: peace as courage, democracy as discipline, and development as dignity,” she concluded.

As the United Nations turns 80, Liberia stands as a proud symbol of resilience — a founding voice for a renewed multilateral order and a more hopeful, peaceful world.