The Vice President of Liberia Joseph N. Boakai has outlined progress made by the Liberian government under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Addressing the 64th Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, September 25, Vice President Boakai cited the nomination of members of the Independent Human Rights Commission which will ensure protection of the fundamental rights of the Liberian people as well as monitor the implementation of the TRC Report.

He also called attention to the establishment of a Land Commission to address the explosive issues of land disputes and the need for Land reform, as well as progress being made in the reconstitution of the Armed Forces of Liberia with the training of a 2,000 strong Army with the assistance of international partners, particularly the United States of America.

"Improvements have also been registered in the performance of the reorganized Liberia National Police Force, with the establishment of an Emergency Response Unit... Two weeks ago, successful partnership consultations were held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on the strategic plan for the Liberia National Police. The responses of our partners, especially India, were encouraging" he added.

Vice President Boakai also observed that Liberia's economic revitalization is shaping up to become a post-conflict success story due to the combination of the disciplined leadership and prudent policies of President Sirleaf and a very constructive partnership with the international community.

He said Government has also formulated the poverty reduction strategy and cultivated a strategic partnership with friendly countries and organizations in the international community to improve the living standards of the Liberian people.

He said as a result of the economic reform taking place in the country, the country experienced a 7% growth in 2008 and is expected to register 5% this year.

"We have improved our business and investment climate by establishing the "One Stop Shop" concept to spur private sector growth and create jobs. We have rehabilitated a total of 674 miles of primary and secondary roads to link communities that were isolated from central administration as a result of the 14 years civil crisis. A robust and comprehensive Civil Service Reform Strategy has been instituted as a critical component of the public sector reform," Vice President Boakai noted.

Vice President Boakai however outlined several challenges still facing the post-war country; including difficulties the police continue to face in achieving full operational capability in the areas of infrastructure, equipment, logistics and other requirements.

He also made mention of the security threat posed by the growing number of cases involving illicit drug trafficking, human trafficking and other organized transnational crime in the entire West African Sub-region and beyond, noting, "These problems necessitate the urgent need for collective international action to tackle these criminal activities that are a menace to regional peace and security".

Meanwhile Liberia has called on the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to appoint a Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security who would galvanize member states to implement Security Council Resolution 1325.

UN Resolution 1325 seeks the protection, participation and promotion of women's rights and their involvement in peace processes.

Liberia's Vice President Boakai made the call Friday in his address to the 64th Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York, U.S.A.

He told the world body that Liberia has adopted several gender-sensitive policies and framework in pursuance of Security Council Resolution 1325.

"We reaffirm that Security Council Resolution 1325 (enunciated in the year 2000), on women, peace and security recognizes that women as civilians in conflict situations are not only victims but also powerful agents for peace and security of their communities," the Liberian Vice President noted.

He called attention to the International Colloquium on Women's Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security that was co-convened by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and President Tarja Halonen of Finland in March 2009, and which promulgated the "Monrovia Declaration" calling for action on Security Council Resolution 1325.

Vice President Boakai said as a follow-up of the Women's Colloquium, a side event to the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly

was jointly hosted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 by President Johnson Sirleaf and President Halonen of Finland at the UN Headquarters in New York to focus on the implementation of Resolution 1325 and Climate Change.

He commended the two female leaders for the initiative, and joined them in their appeal to all UN member states and governments and non-governmental organizations to support the Monrovia Declaration which calls for women's empowerment leadership development, International peace and security.

Vice President Boakai reiterated Liberia's call for a more democratic security council that reflects the realities of the 21st century, noting, "The world today is far different and more complex than that of the 1940s when this organization came into being".

"Liberia supports peacekeeping operations to put out the flames of war. However, we wish to underscore the benefits of establishing an early warning mechanism that will deal with potentially explosive situations before they escalate into full-blown conflagration that presents ghastly choices," the Liberian Vice President further noted.