The Government of Liberia has officially constituted a high-level planning committee to organize the 2025 Liberia Diaspora National Conference, which is set to take place in Washington, D.C., United States of America.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, the committee will be chaired by Ambassador Emmett L. Dunn, with Hon. Macdella Cooper serving as Co Chair.
The effort is being led jointly by the Diaspora Affairs Offices of the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Planning Committee brings together key stakeholders across government, civil society, the private sector, and international development partners. It includes representatives from strategic government ministries, agencies, and commissions, as well as civil society organizations, diaspora groups, and business leaders.
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Committee Structure includes, The Secretariat of the Planning Committee which will consist of The Director General of the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, and Ministry of Internal Affairs/Peacebuilding Office
Other Key Government and Institutional Members on the committee includes the National Investment Commission, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Liberia Chamber of Commerce, Liberia National Police, Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), Ministry of Health, A Senator and a Representative from the National Legislature, Liberia Immigration Service, Liberia Business Association (LIBA), University of Liberia Diaspora Center, Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR)
Also All registered Diaspora organizations, including Development Partners, International partners supporting the planning process like International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office (UNRCO), Peacebuilding Fund, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Public Private Sector Stakeholders
In addition the committee's leadership and strategic planning roles include, Hon. Paul T. Lamin Chair on Finance, Mrs. Robena Vincent Chair on Fundraising, Eminent Emmanuel S. Wettee Chair on Diaspora Engagement, Rep. Naquetta Ricks, Hon. O. Natty B. Davies, Mrs. Georgietta Gray, and others as key members and Senior advisors including Mrs. Louise K. Tamba, Mr. Anthony V. Kesselly, Hon. Nathaniel T. Kwabo, Madam Cynthia Blandford, Mr. Ivan JM Grigsby, and Madam Lisa White
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Moreover, The Ministry of Information emphasized that the 2024 to 2027 Diaspora Strategic Plan which was unveiled at the first Cabinet Retreat under President Joseph N. Boakai Sr. Will guides the committee's work, and that the strategy will aligns with the government's Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
"The President reaffirmed his administration's commitment to engaging Liberians abroad during his 2025 State of the Nation Address, announcing that the annual Diaspora Conference will be a flagship event." The stament said fuether nothing that "This National Steering Committee is hereby established to organize and plan the Diaspora Conference 2025," the Ministry's statement read. "It is a public-private partnership initiative that includes all sectors of our nation, both at home and abroad."
Meanwhile, the committee has been tasked with ensuring the full planning and successful execution of the Liberia Diaspora National Conference 2025, as a platform to strengthen ties between the government and the Liberian diaspora community.
