UN HQ, Manhattan, New York, United States | May 8, 2026: Liberia has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration during the General Debate of the Second Plenary Meeting of the 2026 International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The Second International Migration Review Forum took place from 5 to 8 May 2026 and served as the principal intergovernmental platform for Member States to review progress in implementing the Global Compact for Migration.
Speaking for the Liberian delegation, Cllr. Jeddi Mowbray Armah, Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that Liberia views migration “not as a challenge to be contained, but as a reality to be governed and an opportunity to be harnessed.” He highlighted Liberia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen migration governance, including the establishment of a Technical Coordination Mechanism on Migration, which has reinforced a “whole-of-government approach” under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minister Armah further noted that migration has been incorporated into Liberia’s national development framework, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (2025–2029), reflecting the Government’s conviction that well-managed migration contributes to economic growth, resilience, and national stability.
The Deputy Minister also pointed to Liberia’s progress in strengthening the national evidence base through the 2022 Population and Housing Census and Migration Governance Indicator assessments, which continue to inform policy reforms and identify priority gaps. He underscored Liberia’s efforts to modernize border management systems, strengthen legal frameworks to combat trafficking in persons, and improve coordination among institutions responsible for the protection of migrants.
On the vital role of Liberians abroad, Hon. Armah reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to leveraging the potential of Liberia’s Diaspora community through structured pathways that translate engagement into tangible development outcomes.
He acknowledged Liberia’s remaining challenges, including fragmented data systems, capacity constraints, and added that these challenges have sharpened Liberia’s focus on advancing the development and adoption of a comprehensive national migration policy, investing in data harmonization, border infrastructure, digital systems, and protection frameworks, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Deputy Minister Armah concluded by reaffirming that Liberia remains steadfast in its commitment to the full, effective, and inclusive implementation, follow-up, and review of the Global Compact for Migration.
Liberia was represented at the 2026 International Migration Forum by Hon. Jeddi Armah, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs (HoD); Hon. Daniel Koikoi, Jr, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Hon. Varlee Sarnor, Deputy Executive Director for Operations at the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC). Mrs. Tangbae K. Gbai (3rd Committee) and Mr. Jestino S. Gaye (2nd Committee) of the Permanent Mission of Liberia to the UN provided support and completed the delegation.
About the 2026 International Migration Review Forum
The International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) is the primary intergovernmental platform through which United Nations Member States review progress in implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). The second IMRF was convened by the President of the United Nations General Assembly from 5–8 May 2026 at UN Headquarters in New York, preceded by an informal multi-stakeholder hearing on 4 May 2026.
Held every four years, the Forum provides an opportunity for Member States and relevant stakeholders to assess progress, share good practices, identify implementation gaps, and set priorities for the years ahead. The 2026 Forum featured four interactive multi-stakeholder roundtables, a policy debate, and plenary meetings, and concluded with the adoption of an intergovernmentally agreed Progress Declaration.
