EU Statement UN Peacebuilding Commission: Ambassadorial level meeting on Liberia

Madam Chair, Honorable Ministers, Excellencies,

I have the honour of speaking on behalf of the European Union.

I want to thank the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission Configuration for Liberia for organizing this meeting, on transitional justice, and Youth, Peace and Security. Both topics are a priority for Liberia, as well as for the European Union.

We are also grateful to the briefers, and acknowledge the strong commitment by the government of Liberia to the Peacebuilding Commission, as shown by the high level of participation here. We commend the inclusion of civil society in this meeting.

Allow me to open by congratulating Liberia for its peaceful elections with a high turnout and active participation of the Liberian people, including youth. The peaceful transition of power between ex-President George Manne Weah and President Joseph Boakai and the respect observed between political parties set a positive example for the region.

Madam Chair, turning to transitional justice,

The European Union and its member states welcome the establishment of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia, contributing to the implementation of the recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We continue to actively monitor developments as the next steps of this historic Liberian-led and Liberian-owned process unfold. We are optimistic that this initiative will contribute to addressing impunity for war and economic crimes, while promoting national reconciliation and sustainable peace.

We urge the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court to work actively with all relevant strands of Liberian civil society, including human rights defenders, legal experts, victims and women to tap into the vast knowledge accumulated over the past two decades. We are convinced that their inclusion in the process will contribute to the credibility and success of the Office's work.

In line with founding Executive Order 131, it is absolutely critical that the process is managed with the highest standard of integrity and impartiality. We therefore welcome the Government's announcement that President Boakai has put together a committee to vet and recruit candidates for the post of Executive Director of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court.

Madam Chair, turning now to Youth, Peace and Security,

With 63% of the population under the age of 25, Liberia has a great opportunity. An opportunity to involve youth and ensuring that young people are empowered and can contribute positively to peace and security.Young people actively participated in the last Presidential elections, with youth wings of political parties, and at election rallies. It is important that Youth see elections as transparent, inclusive and credible. This will decrease the risk of violence and enhance peace, security and stability in Liberia.

The European Union Election Observation Mission in its report issued in November last year made 22 observations that we believe can contribute to this objective. We look forward to revisiting these observations with Liberian authorities in early 2026, ahead of the election for 15 seats in the Senate.

Madam Chair,

Allow me to also say something about the role of women in peace and security. Just last week, we held the 12^th EU-Liberia Partnership dialogue. We discussed how female representation in future elections can be strengthened. The EU aims to provide concrete support to women through the Spotlight 2 programme.

We have seen some positive steps in addressing Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in Liberia. Much remains to be done, however, to address SGBV, female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage and teenage pregnancy. The initiatives of recent years to suspend the FGM practice is a major step forward for all women and girls in Liberia. It is our sincere hope that the Government and other stakeholders work together to turn it into a permanent legal ban.

Madam Chair,

As we prepare for the Summit for the Future here at the UN and the Peacebuilding Architecture Review in 2025, the Liberian example provides us with inspiration and gives us hope. It demonstrates that investment in conflict prevention pays off. It demonstrates that national prevention strategies, developed on a voluntary basis, based on national ownership, and adopting a whole-of-society approach are the best way toward attaining resilient and sustained peace.

In closing, let me stress that the EU remains committed to supporting Liberia in its peacebuilding efforts, including through the transitional justice process, enhancing the role of youth in peace and security, and promoting women's empowerment and gender equality.

Thank you.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.