Liberia has launched a National Steering Committee to oversee the planning of its first-ever Annual Liberia Diaspora National Conference to be held in Washington, DC in 2025, marking a major push to reconnect with its global diaspora.
The announcement, made by the Office of Diaspora Affairs under the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, signals a significant step in President Joseph N. Boakai’s broader effort to include overseas Liberians in the country’s development framework. The conference will be a cornerstone event under the government’s Diaspora Strategic Plan (2024–2027), part of the wider Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
Erasmus T. Williams, Coordinator of the Executive Mansion’s Diaspora Office, said the strategic plan was introduced at President Boakai’s first Cabinet retreat and is designed to mobilize the skills and resources of Liberians abroad. “This conference reflects President Boakai’s deep commitment to engaging Liberians in the diaspora and making them central partners in national development,” Williams said.
Broad Coalition, Global Support
The Steering Committee brings together stakeholders from across government ministries, diaspora groups, civil society, and key international agencies. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Diaspora Affairs Office will serve as co-chair alongside the Office of Diaspora Affairs.
Ambassador Emmett L. Dunn will chair the committee, with former presidential candidate Macdella Cooper appointed as co-chair. Other key figures include Rep. Naquetta Ricks, Hon. Paul T. Lamin (Finance), and Emmanuel S. Wettee (Diaspora Engagement).
The secretariat includes senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Cabinet Office, Internal Affairs, and Information, Culture and Tourism.
Participating bodies range from the Liberia National Police and Immigration Service to the National Investment Commission, the Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Liberia’s Diaspora Center.
UN Agencies Join the Effort
The initiative has also drawn in global partners such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, UNICEF, and the Peacebuilding Fund Secretariat.
By launching the Steering Committee, Liberia is signalling a shift towards a more inclusive model of governance and economic planning—one that seeks to bridge the gap between its domestic agenda and its citizens abroad.
The 2025 conference is expected to serve as a platform for diaspora engagement on policy, investment, and development partnerships.