Liberia’s President, Joseph N. Boakai has called for a cooperation between South-South countries to address mutual development issues in the global south.
Addressing heads of States at the ongoing Korea-Africa Summit on Tuesday, May 4, 2024 in South Korea, President Boakai said no nation can address the myriad of complex global challenges alone.
Speaking on the theme: “The future we make together: shared growth, sustainability, and solidarity,” Boakai indicated that it is by standing together in solidarity that the world can bring collective efforts to bear tackling climate change, disease, hunger, poverty, and the many problems that plague nations collectively.
According to him “As we look forward to the deliberations of this first and historic Korea-Africa Summit, we must remember that the future is not guaranteed; we must determine it by deliberately taking actions that will leverage our potential to achieve common goals and foster a better future for our people, a transformed, equitable and sustainable future.
Baokai said this can be achieved in firm partnership with the proud people of Korea “Who have taught us importance of human capital – their greatest resource – in transforming the future of any nation.”
President Boakai narrated that in the context of South-South cooperation, nations have gathered in many respects, shared experiences and a common objective to improve the social and economic conditions of their populations.
He noted that those attending the summit represent about a fifth of the world’s population, and as a community, they have a critical mass in solidarity that should enable them to confront and address the challenges facing the common world.
Boakai narrated that the twin processes of globalization and technological advancement have spurred growth and economic development globally.
However, the Liberian leader revealed that while countries both have ushered the twenty-first century with remarkable feats of human development, such impact on the world populations, especially in Africa, has been unequal.
Boakai, “This is why ‘shared growth’ as part of the theme of this summit should express our collective desire that growth must come with development, prosperity must be inclusive to benefit all people, and that dividends of development should not be the exclusive preserve for a privileged few.”
Boakai called on leaders to recognize that sustainability should undergird the drive for development.
He said resources are not infinite, therefore, the judicious use or exploitation of the collective natural wealth must always be considered in maintaining a sustainable earth for future generations.
In another development, President Boakai and delegation were engaged in bilateral discussions with Yool Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of South Korea, in Seoul, on the sidelines of the Korea-Africa Summit 2024.
According to an Executive Mansion release, the President of South Korea, Yeol extended a warm welcome to President Boakai and congratulated him on assuming the presidency of Liberia.
Yeol also expressed gratitude for Liberia’s historical support during the Korean War, emphasizing the enduring 60-year relationship between the two nations.
For his part, the Liberian leader conveyed his appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit and reiterated Liberia’s unwavering commitment to deepening its partnership with Korea.
Boakai outlined the multifaceted challenges faced by Liberia, encompassing various sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, human resource development, renewable energy, education, technology, fisheries, policy development, and port construction.
He requested Korea’s support and partnership in addressing these challenges.
In response, President Yeol made the following assurances in leveraging partnerships in a range of areas covering the development of roads and infrastructure, contingent upon a detailed proposal; the provision of scholarships for Liberian students seeking to pursue studies in various disciplines in Korea; and lending assistance in advancing agricultural development in Liberia.
The Korean Leader also gave his country’s commitment to supporting the enhancement of Liberia’s fisheries sector; his willingness to consider support for Liberia’s renewable energy development; and his support for the transfer of digital capabilities and technologies to Liberia.
President Yeol conveyed Korea’s unwavering commitment to aiding and partnering with Liberia in realizing its development objectives and surmounting its current challenges, ultimately contributing to the well-being of the Liberian populace.
The Korean Leader assured President Boakai that Korea will efficiently contribute to the full implementation of the Government’s Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism (ARREST) Agenda and that he stands ready to support the country overcome the current challenges and improve the lives of the Liberian people.
Officials who accompanied the Liberian leader during the bilateral meeting were the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Dean of the President’s Cabinet, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister of National Defense, Geraldine Janet George, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Alexander Nuetah, and the Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism, Jerolinmek Matthew Piah.
