Monrovia, Liberia – The Heads of UN Organizations, including their Resident Country Coordinator on Monday, paid a courtesy visit to Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan. The visit takes place following a recent meeting on Friday, September 20, 2024, between Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Ngafuan, at One UN House in Monrovia.
While also talking about how Liberia’s national development plan would contrast with the United Nations SDGs, the One UN Country team visit was focused on its consistent support of Liberia’s growth.
Welcoming the One UN Country team, Liberia’s Finance Minister Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan noted the United Nations’ contributions to the country’s peace restoration and support of its development. Hon. Ngafuan informed the UN team that the United Nations supported Liberia through thick and thin throughout years of hardship stemming from years of conflict.
“There has been positive engagement since I took over. And what I had on Friday with you was productive. I thank the UN family for all you have done for Liberia during our difficult years and for being with us through thick and thin”, Minister Ngafuan stressed.
The Liberian finance minister noted that during the country elections in 2005, UN support and cooperation was quite substantial. Such period was a matter of turning the corner and for the rehabilitation process of Liberia. Through UNOMIL/UNMIL, he praised the UN for bringing outstanding experts that helped Liberia to consolidate peace and development.
He stated that the government takes “very seriously” its national development strategy and that it was crucial for a thorough discussion with the UN team on approaches that could be familiar with their projects and initiatives in Liberia.
“We should have a serious talk so I may get acquainted with your intended activities. We take very seriously the national development plan, hence we wish to work closely to know your plans and evaluate how they can suit us.”
Minister Ngafuan, however, disclosed that the government is developing a new budget and it is crucial to establish a relationship between the budget and the development agenda so that the budget may be “faithful” to the plan. Ngafuan also instructed his deputies and the UN Country team to work together and operationalize the cooperation after welcoming the idea for the UN-Country discussion.
For her part, UN resident coordinator Christine Umutoni said, despite their different roles, UN agencies in Liberia support one coordinating network. She noted that while the UN changes its focus as a country grows, its evolution in Liberia resembled a development curve.
Liberia’s commitment to the world endeavor led Ms. Umutoni to stress the need of engaging with the government through the UN-Country dialogue forum to discuss different topics as well as the financial structure that would link with the global phase of the SDG.
“I would suggest that we schedule the UN-Country conversation minimum once a month. And we are evaluating our new framework using the MFDP.”
She noted that issues include power to the people, openness and responsibility, governance, the rule of law and economy constitute the UN’s top priorities, thereby guiding their attention. Ms. Christine Umutoni emphasized the need of knowing about Liberia’s development in order to have alignment as the country’s policies might assist the UN in planning its activities in Liberia.
“What your plans are will help us design ours; part of our priorities is to see how the development plan of Liberia is performing.”
She also mentioned that the UN is seeking to decentralize by having a hub now active in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County.
Though a lot was still needed, a USAID official expressed hope about the advancements in sectors of health and education. He stated he was happy with USAID’s help for Liberia’s growth and mentioned water and sanitation, which significantly affect health, should get priority.
The One United Nations Country Team is a conglomeration of various agencies of the United Nations in Liberia.
