Liberia’s President Joseph N. Boakai has rallied world leaders at the United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) to make the world a better place for all, despite being confronted with many challenges.
Speaking Sunday, September 22, 2024 at his first UNGA in New York, United States of America, President Boakai said, “We are gathered here with a common mission- to find ways to work together to make the world a better place for everyone. Even though we are facing difficult challenges, I believe we are more determined than ever to overcome them.”
Boakai said Liberia has encountered significant obstacles in making progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but it is dedicated to overcoming these challenges, as the country’s experience reflects the struggles of many developing nations, which are hindered by social and economic pressures.
“Recent reports show a concerning trend in global development. The 2023/2024 Human Development Report revealed that the world’s poorest countries are falling behind, leading to greater inequalities and political divisions,” he stated.
President Boakai said that the “2024 Financing for Sustainable Development Report” indicates that Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are now spending 12% of their revenues on interest payments—four times more than a decade ago, highlighting the urgent need for reform in the global financial system.
The Liberian leader said that the current situation requires the world to take decisive actions, saying, as leaders, they need to address the common challenges together and overcome the obstacles that are holding back progress.
“As UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized, we must see these reports, especially the Human Development Report, as a call to action during this important Summit,” Boakai said.
In Liberia, he said citizens have made significant efforts to promote good governance, reduce waste and corruption, and ensure that all resources are used effectively for our country’s development in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
However, to accelerate the implementation of the Agenda, it is crucial to transform global governance; leaders need to advocate for a financial system that prioritizes liquidity and reduces the burden on developing nations. Boakai said by promoting international cooperation and accountability, it can create a fairer financial environment that empowers all countries to pursue their development goals.
The Liberian leader urged the international community to take drastic measures to alleviate the economic pressures faced by vulnerable nations. He called on world leaders to work together to remove the barriers that hinder the potential and enable advancement of shared vision for sustainable development.
“The prevailing developmental challenges deliver to us a clear message that, if countries are to turbocharge to achieve the SDGs, the financial systems need to be reformed to help us achieve sustainable development,” Boakai said
