UN HQ, Manhattan, New York, United States | November 6, 2025: The Republic of Liberia has recommitted to inclusive social and economic transformation, universal access to education and youth development at the Second World Social Summit
in Doha, Qatar, where Foreign Minister Hon. Sara Beysolow Nyanti addressed a global gathering on behalf of the President, His Excellency Joseph N. Boakai, Sr.
Speaking at the Summit convened by the United Nations and the Government of Qatar, Minister Nyanti underscored Liberia’s resilience and progress since emerging from civil conflict, noting that “political stability without social inclusion is fragile, and economic growth without justice is unsustainable.”
Minister Nyanti highlighted Liberia’s evolution into a “stable, democratic, and forward-looking nation,” emphasizing that social development remains the true measure of peace. She expressed Liberia’s gratitude to the international community for its confidence, as demonstrated through Liberia's election to the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term—the first full term in Liberia’s history.
The Foreign Minister took advantage of the platform and reminded the world that during its tenure on the Council, Liberia intends to champion the nexus between climate change, natural resources, and conflict, and advocate for the voices of vulnerable nations to be heard in global peace and security discussions.
At the national level, Minister Nyanti outlined President Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which focuses on Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation and Health, and Technology & Innovation as pathways to social welfare, sustainable economic growth and genuine inclusivity. The framework, she explained, aims to ensure that Liberia’s natural resources benefit future generations and support the nation’s ambition to achieve lower middle-income status by 2029.
Acknowledging Liberia’s demographic realities, Minister Nyanti pointed out that more than 60% of Liberia’s population is under 35 years old, describing youth empowerment and employment creation as critical to national stability and development. She lamented that drug and substance abuse among young people is a major national challenge, emphasizing the government’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency on Drug Abuse and its implementation of a multi-sectoral response encompassing prevention, rehabilitation, and enforcement.
Minister Nyanti hailed Liberia’s child protection initiative, which rescues children from street conditions, reunites them with families, enrolls them in schools, and supports female caregivers through cash grants—linking immediate relief with long-term poverty reduction.
She reaffirmed Liberia’s ongoing efforts to empower women and promote equitable access to social services, including health, education, and sanitation.
Addressing the uniqueness of the Summit’s theme, “Humanity at the Heart,” Foreign Minister Nyanti anecdotally recounted the “perilous” journey of President Boakai from his home town Foya to Monrovia in pursuit of education. She likened this 454-kilometer journey on foot to the challenges that young people across the world still encounter in their pursuit of education and access to opportunities. “We believe that social justice is not just about policy, but a shared moral imperative. It is our collective duty to ensure that every child’s journey to education and dignity is one of hope, not hardship.” She pleaded.
The World Social Summit in Doha brought together world leaders, policymakers, and development partners to renew a global commitment to advancing human-centered, equitable, and sustainable development.
Held under the auspices of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly thirty years after the Copenhagen Summit in 1995, the Second World Social Summit ended with a consensus to adopt the Doha Political Declaration which renews commitment to social inclusion, poverty eradication and sustainable development.
The Liberian delegation to the Second World Social Summit in Doha included the Ministers of Health, Education, Gender and Social Protection, Youth and Sports as well as the Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation and the Permanent Representative of the country to the United Nations.
The delegation joined others in endorsing a five-year review mechanism to translate the Summit’s commitments into tangible results.
