Monrovia, Liberia, 8 September 2026–As global crises increasingly collide with national development ambitions, leaders, development practitioners and policymakers gathered in Monrovia to confront a pressing question: How can Liberia safeguard its development gains and build a future that is resilient, inclusive and sustainable?
At a high-level dialogue convened by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on September 3, 2026, the Government of Liberia and development partners, participants explored the urgent need to rethink development in a rapidly changing world marked by economic uncertainty, climate change, geopolitical tensions, public health emergencies and shrinking development assistance.
Held under the theme “Navigating Development in a World of Crisis: Resilience, Equity and Planetary Stewardship,” the dialogue brought together government officials, United Nations agencies, international financial institutions, civil society organizations, academia and private-sector representatives around a shared conviction: Liberia’s future depends not only on how it responds to crises, but on how effectively it prepares for them.
A Changing World Demands a New Development Approach
Across the globe, development gains that take decades to achieve are increasingly vulnerable to shocks that transcend borders.
From climate-related disasters to disruptions in food systems and global supply chains, countries face growing challenges that require coordinated and forward-looking solutions. For Liberia, these challenges also present an opportunity to rethink traditional development approaches.
Opening the dialogue, UNDP Resident Representative Aliou Mamadou Dia called for resilience to become a central pillar of national development planning.
“The world may be becoming more uncertain, but our response can be more coordinated, more innovative and more resilient,” he said.
His message underscored a growing consensus among development leaders that resilience is not simply about recovering from crises. It is about anticipating risks, strengthening institutions, empowering communities and creating systems capable of withstanding future shocks while protecting hard-won gains.
Participants agreed that Liberia can no longer afford fragmented approaches to development. Instead, solutions must recognize the interconnected nature of governance, economic growth, social cohesion, environmental protection and climate resilience.
Financing Liberia’s Future
At the center of the discussions was a critical question facing many developing countries: how to finance sustainable development in an era of constrained resources.
Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine K. Ngafuan emphasized that while Liberia cannot shield itself entirely from global crises, it can strengthen its readiness through strategic investments and stronger institutions.
Participants highlighted the importance of expanding domestic resource mobilization, improving public financial management and ensuring that public resources are translated into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
The dialogue also explored innovative financing mechanisms, including blended finance, concessional funding and responsible private-sector investment, as tools for accelerating national development priorities.
The message was clear: sustainable development cannot rely solely on external support. It must be anchored in strong national systems, effective governance and a vibrant private sector capable of generating jobs, investment and economic opportunity.
Investing in Liberia’s Greatest Asset: Its People
Beyond economics and infrastructure, participants repeatedly returned to one crucial reality: development is ultimately about people.
Women, young people, persons with disabilities and other marginalized communities often bear the greatest burden during times of crisis. Building resilience therefore requires ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all.
With one of Africa’s youngest populations, Liberia possesses enormous, untapped potential. Participants highlighted the need for greater investments in education, skills development, entrepreneurship, digital innovation and green employment opportunities that can enable young Liberians to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The dialogue reinforced the idea that empowering young people is not simply a social imperative but also an economic necessity. Unlocking youth potential could serve as one of Liberia’s most powerful drivers of innovation, productivity and long-term prosperity.
Natural Capital as a Development Asset
Liberia’s rich forests, biodiversity, wetlands and coastal ecosystems emerged as another key focus of the discussions.
Rather than viewing environmental protection and economic growth as competing priorities, participants emphasized that safeguarding natural resources can strengthen livelihoods, improve food security, enhance climate resilience and generate sustainable economic opportunities.
As global demand grows for climate and biodiversity solutions, Liberia is increasingly positioned to access new streams of environmental financing while preserving the ecological assets that support communities and future generations.
The dialogue highlighted the importance of ensuring that environmental stewardship remains integrated into national development planning and investment strategies.
Trust, Cooperation and Strong Institutions
A recurring theme throughout the event was the importance of public trust.
Speakers stressed that sustainable development depends not only on policies and financing, but also on institutions that citizens trust and that consistently deliver results.
UN Resident Coordinator a.i. Dr. Olushayo Olu underscored the value of multilateral cooperation in addressing today’s interconnected challenges, while emphasizing that strong institutions remain essential for service delivery, social stability and investment.
Similarly, Deputy Foreign Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration Dr. Ibrahim Nyei highlighted the role of trust in strengthening governance, social cohesion and partnerships.
Their interventions reflected a broader recognition that development succeeds when citizens have confidence in institutions, governments work transparently and partnerships are grounded in shared responsibility and accountability.
Three Shifts for a More Resilient Liberia
As discussions concluded, participants identified three transformative shifts that could help Liberia navigate a rapidly evolving development landscape:
- Moving from fragmented interventions to integrated solutions.
- Moving from reacting to crises toward investing in resilience before shocks occur.
- Moving from externally driven development models toward stronger national ownership and leadership.
These shifts represent more than policy recommendations. They represent a vision for a Liberia that is capable of adapting to uncertainty while continuing to advance inclusive and sustainable development.
A Shared Responsibility
The dialogue concluded with a powerful reminder that no single institution can overcome today’s development challenges alone. Government, development partners, the United Nations, civil society, communities and the private sector all have a role to play in building a more resilient future.
As Liberia confronts increasingly complex global challenges, the discussions highlighted a hopeful message: resilience can be built, opportunities can be expanded and sustainable development remains within reach when partnerships, innovation and national leadership come together around a common purpose.
As Minister Ngafuan aptly observed: “Development is not measured only by how fast a country moves when the road is smooth. It is also measured by how firmly a country stands when the road becomes rough.”
For Liberia, the path forward may not be without challenges, but the dialogue demonstrated a collective determination to ensure that the country is prepared not only to withstand future shocks, but to emerge stronger from them.