Monrovia, Liberia – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Liberia, Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, conducted a bilateral meeting. The conference was held at the United Arab Emirates Permanent Mission to the United Nations headquarters in New York.
During their respective introductory statements, the ministers exchanged greetings and best wishes, pledging to collaborate on topics of shared concern, primarily pertaining to peace and security, both bilaterally and multilaterally.
The U.A.E.’s support for social and economic development in Liberia; investment opportunities in the country’s mining, agricultural, and energy sectors; Liberia’s bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council; and cooperation between Liberia and the U.A.E. in multilateral organizations, particularly on international peace and security and support for international humanitarian law, were among the important topics discussed during the high-level meeting.
In her remarks, Madam Beysolow Nyanti commended the United Arab Emirates’ government for its years of unwavering support for Liberia, citing the recently opened Emirates Hospital in Gbarpolu County as one of the country’s greatest achievements. In addition, she praised the United Arab Emirates for providing her with assistance throughout her leadership of many UN humanitarian initiatives in Yemen.
Madame Beysolow Nyanti gave a presentation on the government’s agenda and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s goal to create a positive legacy through the implementation of his plans to boost trade, expand infrastructure, improve social and economic development, and eradicate corruption and impunity.
The development of road infrastructure, mechanization and investment in agriculture, acquisition of ICT equipment, and construction of secure ICT infrastructure for communication at Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Mission to the UN, she stressed, need to be prioritized once a year.
Madam Beysolow Nyanti emphasized the wealth of investment opportunities in mining, forestry, and agriculture in Liberia, and she asked the United Arab Emirates to consider the country as a prospective investment destination.
Speaking as well, Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized the possibility of enabling investments in important industries mentioned through U.A.E.-based private enterprises, as well as expressing interest in developing cooperation between the governments of Liberia and the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, he mentioned that the United Arab Emirates may take into consideration investing in solar energy infrastructure in Liberia, namely in the energy sector.
He then praised the Liberian government for taking the audacious step of running for a seat on the UN Security Council and urged increased multilateral cooperation between the two nations in promoting an end to war and the upholding of international law, particularly international humanitarian law, which aims to safeguard and assist civilians impacted by violent conflicts. Additionally, he said that the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) concurs with the UN Security Council reform ideas and encourages Liberia to join the battle for more extensive changes to the international system.
