President Joseph N. Boakai will on today, August 30, 2024, lead a high-level delegation of the Government of Liberia for official visits to the Republic of Indonesia and the People’s Republic of China. According to a statement from the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, while in Indonesia, President Boakai will join other African Presidents to participate in the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum from September 1-3.
The visit to Indonesia will mark 69 years of friendship and cooperation between the two countries which share a common history of resistance to colonial dominance and the advancement of freedom for the people of Africa.
Indonesia and Liberia have collaborated on many fronts since the 1950s when both nations championed Afro-Asian solidarity to end colonialism, and were pivotal partners in the Group of 77 Non-Aligned Movement of the United Nations during the Cold War years. During the Forum, the two counties will be hoping to expand cooperation in areas such as palm oil production and refinery, as well as increased rice production for both local consumption and export.
President Boakai and delegation will hold high-level talks in Indonesia to seek partnership and support for agriculture especially in oil palm, rice and rubber production and value chain development, energy and petroleum, water supply and sanitation, public health research and development, tourism and hospitality, education, scholarships and scientific research opportunities, among others. Meanwhile, the President and select members of his delegation are also expected to attend the Forum for China-Africa-Cooperation (FOCAC) scheduled in Beijing from September 4-6, 2024.
The China-Africa Forum presents the opportunity for African and Chinese leaders to engage on matters of mutual interests, and President Boakai is glad to make the case for Liberia as an attractive destination for investments from the People’s Republic of China. Ahead of this meeting, President Boakai said that cooperation with Beijing is pivotal in supporting his vision to transform Liberia through the ARREST Agenda.
While the President is out of the Country, the Minister of Justice, Clir. N. Oswald Tweh, will chair the cabinet and coordinate the affairs of the state in consultation with the President.
The President and the team will return to Liberia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. The Government’s delegation to Indonesia includes First Lady Katumu Y. Boakai; Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow-Nyanti; Minister of State for Presidential Affairs
Sylvester M. Grigsby; Health Minister Dr. Louise M. Kpoto; Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, Minister of State Without Portfolio Mamaka Bility and National Investment Commission Chairman Jeff Blibo along with Sinoe County Senator Augustine Chea and Grand Kru County Representative Nathaniel Baway
Other government officials joining the President to Beijing visit include Amin Modad, Minister of Commerce, Roland L. Giddings, Minister of Public Works; Jerolinmek Piah, Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism; Samuel Kofi Woods, National Security Advisor; Clr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Liberia Maritime Authority.
“Gregory Coleman, Inspector-General of Police; Sekou Dukuly, Managing Director of the National Port Authority and Eugene L. Fahngon, Director-General of the Liberia Broadcasting System, are expected to form part of the delegation.
