Liberia Launches Bid for UNSC Non-Permanent Seat -Pro Tempore Lawrence, Others Say Liberia Ready to Serve

MONROVIA – Liberia on Monday, February 10 intensified its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council with a massive local campaign that witnessed the participation of scores of representatives from government, civil society, student groupings, traditional leaders, and ordinary Liberians who all converged at the grounds of the Centennial Pavilion in Monrovia to pull their weight behind the Liberian Government and clamor for the nation to resume its rightful place among the comity of nations.

Pro Tempore Lawrence Rallies Liberians

Representing the Senate, Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence rose to the occasion by rallying Liberians at home and abroad to support the Joseph Nyuma Boakai-led government’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, noting that the country, having experienced immeasurable vicissitudes, is ready to serve and represent the interest of small nations.

“The Liberian Senate is here to once again give full support for Liberia’s candidacy for the United Nations Security Council Non-Permanent Seat for the term 2026-2027. Our campaign is driven by a firm commitment to a vision embodied in our slogan: “Towards a Just and Peaceful World.” This vision aligns with the principles of the United Nations Charter and speaks directly to the core mandate of the Security Council to maintain international peace and security.

“Liberia, a country that has walked the arduous path from conflict to peace, is uniquely positioned to contribute to the Security Council’s work.

“Our journey from the devastation of civil war to the restoration of democracy and stability has endowed us with a profound understanding of the necessity of peace, the value of justice, and the importance of inclusive governance,” Pro Tempore Lawrence recounted.

She affirmed that Liberia has emerged as a testament to the power of reconciliation and the strength of the human spirit, determined to bring this experience to bear on the global stage.

“Today, we stand ready to serve, to advocate for smaller nations, to uphold international humanitarian law, and to work collaboratively with all Member States to address the complex and evolving challenges to global peace and security.

“Liberia is committed to approaching this task with the utmost respect, responsibility, and resolve, fully prepared to engage constructively as a proactive member of the Security Council. Liberia’s candidacy for the United Nations Security Council Non-Permanent Seat for 2026-2027 is a testament to our belief in the power of multilateralism and our commitment to the principles of the United Nations. We stand ready to serve, to listen, and to lead in the pursuit of a just and peaceful world.

“Our team headed by Minister Sarah Beslow the minister of foreign affairs, has worked tirelessly to get all the support needed, not only for Liberia but for the vision we share—a vision of a world where conflicts are resolved through dialogue, where justice prevails over injustice, and where peace is not just an absence of war but the presence of conditions that allow all people to thrive. Together, let us work towards a Security Council that is truly representative of all nations, responsive to the needs of all people, and resolute in its commitment to peace and security. Let us move forward “Towards a Just and Peaceful World,” Pro Tempore Lawrence said.

House Majority Leader Koon Calls for Regional and International Support

Speaking on behalf of the House Majority leadership, Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon recounted that Liberia’s unique history, resilience, and commitment to multilateralism position the nation for the esteemed non-permanent UNSC seat.

“Our nation, Africa’s first independent republic, has long championed self-governance, peace, and human rights. From our contributions to decolonization efforts to our active role in peacekeeping and regional diplomacy, Liberia has continuously stood for the principles upon which the United Nations was founded,” he noted.

Elaborating on his recent visit to Morocco, the House Majority leader said he had the privilege of engaging with fellow Speakers of Parliament from the African Atlantic States, and in those discussions, he made a strong appeal to Liberia’s transatlantic partners to support the country’s bid for the UN Security Council.

“Our campaign is not just about Liberia, it is about amplifying Africa’s voice in global decision-making and ensuring that issues affecting our region receive the attention they deserve at the highest levels of international governance,” he said.

Liberia’s Commitment to Global Peace and Security

Harping on Liberia’s post-war recovery stands as a testament to resilience and nation-building, the House Majority leader noted that from hosting peacekeeping missions to contributing personnel to UN peace operations, Liberia has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to global stability.

“As a founding member of ECOWAS, Liberia has played an instrumental role in fostering regional peace and economic cooperation. We continue to work with neighboring countries to combat illicit financial flows, human trafficking, and transnational organized crime, which pose significant threats to our region’s stability.

“Liberia actively participates in global initiatives addressing climate change, human rights, and economic development. With a seat at the UNSC, we will further advocate for equitable policies that support the aspirations of developing nations,” he said.

A Collective Effort for Success

Securing a seat on the Security Council, Representative Koon said, requires unity, strategy, and diplomatic engagement.

“We urge our African brothers and sisters, our transatlantic partners, and the broader international community to stand with Liberia in this endeavor. Together, we can ensure that our continent and its people have a stronger voice in shaping the global agenda.

“Let us move forward with determination, knowing that Liberia is ready to take its rightful place on the global stage,” Koon said passionately.

Earlier, Liberia’s Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah said the launch signifies that Liberia is serious and committed to taking its rightful place at the UNSC, noting that such an esteemed position will accentuate Liberia’s leadership among the comity of nations.

Also speaking, the Director General of the Foreign Service Institute at the Foreign Ministry, Reginald Goodridge, rallied all Iberians to become ambassadors for the country’s non-permanent seat bid on the United Nations Security Council.

“Liberia is positioned to accrue innumerable benefits, including foreign direct investment if the seat is won,” said Mr. Goodridge, who is also the Chair of the Steering Committee for Liberia’s bid.

Representatives from the traditional council, student groupings, women groups, religious groups, among others all used the occasion to drum up support for Liberia’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council which election takes place in June this year.

Liberia is the only country in Africa competing to represent the continent on the Council.