Madam President, Mr. Secretary General, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen:  Thirty years ago, the Beijing Declaration charted a bold and hopeful path for women and girls everywhere. Today, as we gather under the theme of recommitting to resourcing and accelerating the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Liberia sees this anniversary not as a ceremonial occasion but as an urgent call to action.

Under my leadership, Liberia is determined to move from pledges to results.

We are proud to stand among the first Member States leading on two important Action Agendas: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, and Investing in Young People, Girls, and Future Generations.

Through our Agenda for Inclusive Development, Liberia will invest US$8.3 billion over five years to transform lives, with gender equality, youth empowerment, education, health care, and social development at the heart of our priorities.

Our commitments are clear:

• We pledge zero tolerance for gender based violence, with massive awareness and public education programs, and with dedicated budget allocations.
• We will permanently ban harmful cultural practices. What was once a three-year moratorium will now become national law, supported by nationwide dialogues and alternative livelihood programs.
• We will implement a National Action Plan for Young Women and Girls to provide a roadmap for empowerment, voice, and protection.

An African proverb reminds us: 'When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.' Similarly, when women are fully empowered and supported, entire nations thrive.

As Liberia embarks on its two-year term on the United Nations Security Council, we will ensure that the voices of women and youth are not only heard but also shape the Women and youth Peace and Security agenda.

Our programs are already changing lives. The Liberia Women Empowerment Project is reaching 36,000 businesswomen across 6 counties, impacting more than 260,000 Liberians through increased income, resilience, and growth.

The REALISE Project supports 53,650 vulnerable households, with direct cash transfers to 16,000 families, mainly women-headed households, and business assistance to over 4,450 individuals, 80 percent of them women.

Projects like Nurture, Empower, and Protect (NEP) and Accelerating Impact for Young Women have already equipped nearly 25,000 adolescent girls and young women with essential health knowledge, entrepreneurship skills, and life skills. By 2031, more than 160,000 young women are expected to benefit.

On behalf of the people of Liberia, I reaffirm our commitment to work with Africa and the global community to make Beijing+30 a reality, for this generation and the next.

Thank you.