PAYNESVILLE, LIBERIA – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to Liberia, Mr. Aliou Mamadou Dia, met today with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. at the President’s Rehab Office in Paynesville. The meeting served to brief the President on pivotal UNDP initiatives supporting the Government of Liberia and to map out critical areas for future collaboration.
Governance and Institutional Capacity
Mr. Dia provided a comprehensive update on UNDP’s ongoing support for the Government’s Performance Management and Compliance System. He expressed the organization’s readiness to assist in operationalizing the President’s Delivery Unit (PDU), a move designed to accelerate the implementation of key national priorities.
Additionally, he highlighted the Executive Mansion Communications Internship Program as a vital investment in cultivating the next generation of Liberian media and communication professionals, exploring strategic opportunities to expand the initiative.
Climate Action and Environmental Resilience
With climate change posing an immediate threat to coastal regions, the discussions heavily focused on environmental sustainability. Mr. Dia outlined UNDP’s ongoing efforts to mobilize substantial climate financing, which includes targeted support for critical coastal protection initiatives in West Point within Montserrado County, Sinoe County, and other vulnerable coastal communities bearing the brunt of rising sea levels.
Innovation and Digital Transformation
To prepare the nation’s youth for tomorrow’s economy, the UNDP is championing digital growth through two primary tracks. First, plans are underway to establish County Innovation Hubs across Liberia to decentralize access to technology and entrepreneurship resources. Second, in collaboration with the University of Liberia, the UNDP is working to establish a specialized AI and Cybersecurity Center focused on Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, equipping young Liberians with essential future-ready technical skills.
Healthcare System Strengthening
Mr. Dia updated President Boakai on several key healthcare interventions aimed at improving infrastructure and service delivery:
| Facility / Region | Key Initiatives & Support |
| JFK Medical Center | Digitalization of the hospital’s Registration Unit to streamline patient care. |
| Voinjama Hospital (Lofa County) | Ongoing facility renovations, with an immediate focus on establishing reliable running water. |
| Rural & Remote Communities | Procurement of ambulances and mobile clinics, alongside broader efforts to expand access to safe drinking water. |
Youth Empowerment and Regional Integration
Liberia is gearing up to host the Mano River Union (MRU) YouthConnekt Summit in Monrovia next June, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Mr. Dia noted that the high-profile event will bring together young leaders from across the sub-region, serving as a premier platform to showcase Liberia’s vibrant culture, emerging investment opportunities, and overall development progress.
A Shared Vision for Peace
Concluding his briefing, Mr. Dia reaffirmed the UNDP’s staunch support for President Boakai’s peace and reconciliation agenda, emphasizing that national unity and social cohesion are the fundamental bedrock of sustainable development.
“We deeply appreciate the UNDP’s practical, hands-on support of our national development agenda. Liberia welcomes deeper collaboration in areas that strengthen our public institutions, expand opportunities for our youth, improve essential service delivery, and ultimately enhance the well-being of all Liberians.”
— President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.