PHOTO: Liberian Foreign Min. Sara Beyslow Nyanti speaking during the high-level event
NEY YORK, USA—The Republic of Liberia has launched a comprehensive Pathways framework focusing on youth, peace, security, and development, and emphasizing the country’s preparedness to actively engage in global initiatives.
Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Sara Beyslow Nyanti launched the comprehensive pathways vision document on September 18, 2026, during the UNSC-UNGA81 high-level side event held at the African Union Permanent Mission to UN in New York.
The document aims to establish essential pathways for future generations and mobilize investments to support the youth vision for 2035.
According to her, the pathways rooting and rising youths answers the transformational call, consolidates remarkable works done for young people living in the fifteen counties, includes the active participation of young Liberians in shaping the country’s future, and unites the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ five-year strategic plan and national youth policy under one powerful mandate.
She emphasized that youth, peace, and security are top priority areas for Liberia at the UN Security Council and stated the value of amplifying Liberian youths’ voices on the global stage.
Nyanti identified six pillars centered on governance, evidence, the pathways framework, sports, creative economy, and strategic investment are interconnected foundations of a strong sustainable system forming a framework for youth and sports development with robust institutions, honest evidence, and sustained investment creating real opportunities for young people, she added.
She called on international and national partners to join the country in building the pathways that will help elevate generations.
Also speaking, Atty. Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, Minister of Youth and Sports, Republic of Liberia, emphasized the significance of investing in the PATHWAYS Reforms mandate, stating by 2035 every young Liberian should have a pathway to achieve their goals.
She said the PATHWAYs vision represents Liberia’s public commitment to young people, partners, and history, which includes measurable targets, a timeline for evaluation, and the overarching mandate of a generation.
She Kruah stated that Liberia’s reform initiative is transparent and accessible, inviting relevant stakeholders to invest in a well-established plan supported by evidence and progress, rather than relying on mere promises.
She also commended the UNFPA, UNDP, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the United Nations Youth Office, and government and organizations that invested in Liberia’s youth agenda.
For her part, Ms. Diene Keita, United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UNFPA, urged young people to be active partners and leaders in shaping peaceful and inclusive societies.
She praised Liberia’s ten-year framework aimed at empowering youth regardless of their background or challenges.
“Young people are peacebuilders, they are leaders, they are essential partners, and UNFPA is a proud sponsor of the youth peace and security agenda. Investing in young people fosters economic growth and creates stable communities with access to food, contributing to peace and prosperity, says UNFPA Executive Director.
She expressed confidence in Liberia’s readiness to overcome conflict governance and create pathways to lasting peace.
Dr. Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary General for Youth Affairs at the UN, disclosed that the UN is working to support the voices of young people across regions.
He indicated that Liberia’s leadership in youth, peace, and security at the security council, particularly in December, is a source of pride that presents an opportunity for an open debate on the YPS agenda.
We need to create a connection between the real needs everybody has in their daily life and connect them to the pathways of sustaining peace, leveraging opportunities for young people in arts, culture, sports, and more, he noted.
He underscored the need to employ active roles in shaping peace, and now that Liberia is showing a strong vision.
Par Skold, a counsellor and civilian adviser at the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations, applauded the youths for taking responsibility for implementing the UN youth, peace, and security agenda, urging government institutions to adopt and give space to unite youth.
He highlighted Sweden’s contributions towards the development of Liberia’s first national plan and reaffirmed commitment to pushing the YPS agenda.
Ms. Nathalie Ndongo Seh, Director of the Western Africa Division, DPPA-DPO, says aligning the National Action Plan with PATHWAYS and the ARREST Agenda is essential.
She reaffirmed UNOWAS’s commitment to support Liberia in sharing its experiences with neighbors, ECOWAS, and the Mano River Union.
She also announced that DPPA will aid Liberia in presenting youth, peace, and security issues to the council during its presidency in December.
Ms. Leymah Gbowee, the 2011 peace laureate and founder of the Gbowee Peace Foundation, admonished young people to embrace the MOYS PATHWAYS vision mandate by familiarizing themselves with its contents, recommending the importance of hosting town hall meetings nationwide.
She urged the government to provide fifty percent funding for the implementation of the PATHWAYS Reforms agenda to inspire partner investment.
Hon. Ibrahim Sannoh, Minister of Youth Affairs of Sierra Leone, expressed support for Liberia’s vision for youth, peace, and security, deeming it a beacon of hope.
“We are collectively committing to the YPS agenda, turning fragility into a foundation for residents and transforming the scars of war into a testament of change,” he said.
This event, titled “Rooting and Rising: Liberia’s Vision for Youth, Peace, and Security,” advocates for youth, peace, and security.
It gathered international partners, youth leaders, government representatives, and civil society actors to foster investment in youth-led initiatives.