Monrovia, Liberia; April 23, 2025: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Mr. Aliou Dia, met on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, with Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot J.M. Paye, to reaffirm and strengthen the longstanding partnership between the two institutions. The discussion focused on enhancing collaboration to support the Ministry in fulfilling its mandate effectively and sustainably.
During the meeting, both parties emphasized the importance of continued engagement in key areas such as coastal resilience, renewable energy integration, and environmental governance.
The UNDP Resident Representative highlighted past joint efforts, including climate adaptation projects in Grand Bassa and New Kru Town, capacity building for Ministry technicians, and initiatives under the Environmental Governance Project. These efforts have established a robust foundation for further collaboration.
Looking forward, the meeting explored opportunities to mobilize resources for renewable energy initiatives like the Liberia Energy Compact, strengthen the formalization of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining sector, and promote coordinated environmental stewardship across key agencies.
The significance of long-term sustainability, particularly in maintaining climate resilience infrastructure, was underscored. UNDP reiterated its commitment to supporting high-level advocacy and facilitating coordinated efforts with national and international partners.
Both parties agreed that deepened collaboration will be crucial in driving inclusive development, protecting Liberia’s natural resources, and ensuring sustainable progress in the energy and mining sectors.
At the same time, the UNDP Liberia Resident Representative, Aliou Dia, met with the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Louis Kpoto, on Monday, April 21, 2025, to deepen collaboration and strengthen partnership in reinforcing support for Liberia’s healthcare sector and health services in Rural Liberia.
The visit formed part of Mr. Dia’s ongoing efforts to engage key government officials since assuming his role as UNDP’s Resident Representative. Mr. Dia highlighted UNDP’s longstanding commitment to health service delivery. He shared insights from his previous work in Togo and Cameroon, where health interventions were central to development efforts.
Dia reaffirmed UNDP’s support for Liberia’s health sector, citing the recent donation of seven ambulances to the Ministry of Health (MOH), which the Minister gratefully acknowledged as timely and impactful.
“Investing in strengthening healthcare delivery, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas, contributes to the well-being and dignity of Liberians for the future. We look forward to working hand in hand with the Ministry of Health to deliver real and lasting impact. Our vision at UNDP is to ensure that ‘No one is left behind,” said Dia.
Looking ahead, the meeting outlined concrete initiatives to expand healthcare access in rural areas. Dr. Kpoto made a heartfelt appeal for two mobile clinics to further expand access to healthcare in remote regions.
The UNDP Resident Representative proposed to deploy a few medical professionals, including doctors and dentists, to provide mobile medical outreach services across Liberia’s underserved communities.
Dia also mentioned possible support for rehabilitating the Telewoyen Hospital in Voinjama, Lofa County. The interventions will prioritize the operating room, delivery theatre, and sustainable energy upgrades.
His comments come after his recent tour of UNDP’s project sites in Lofa, Bong, and Nimba Counties and a joint assessment of the hospital by UNDP and the MOH technical teams. The Tellewoyesn hospital was among several health facilities that benefited from UNDP’s Solar For Health project back in the day.
Dr. Kpoto welcomed UNDP’s proposed interventions and emphasized the importance of involving the MOH Infrastructure Unit in all civil works to ensure alignment and sustainability.
She strongly supports these initiatives, highlighting the critical need to revamp health facilities, especially maternal centers, some of which have already been forced to close due to poor conditions.
“We deeply appreciate UNDP’s unwavering support, especially in times of urgent need, like the recent ambulance donation. As we face critical gaps in our health infrastructure, particularly in maternal care, this renewed partnership is timely and lifesaving,” she said.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to translate these plans into action, reflecting a strong and growing partnership between UNDP and Liberia’s Ministry of Health as they pursue equitable healthcare for Liberians.