New York, September 2026 — Liberia has secured new opportunities for maritime and port-security training, scholarships and expanded technical cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus, following a bilateral meeting between Foreign Minister H.E. Mme. Sara Beysolow Nyanti and her Cypriot counterpart, H.E. Dr. Constantinos Kombos, on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The engagement, an important milestone in Liberia–Cyprus relations, also culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations, establishing a formal mechanism for regular dialogue and deeper cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement provides a platform to advance cooperation in maritime affairs, port security, higher education, scholarships, trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges, while strengthening consultations on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Minister Nyanti welcomed the agreement as an important step toward a more active and results-oriented partnership.
“A relationship doesn’t exist if it’s not active,” Minister Nyanti said, emphasizing that Liberia’s diplomatic engagements must increasingly translate into practical opportunities that support national development and economic diplomacy.
Maritime cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, reflecting the important roles both Liberia and Cyprus play in the global shipping industry.
Minister Nyanti highlighted Liberia’s position as a global maritime leader and emphasized the country’s responsibility to promote maritime safety and security, protect seafarers and vessels, and strengthen responsible management of the sector.
Minister Kombos highlighted Cyprus’s extensive experience in shipping and ship management and expressed his country’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Liberia.
Importantly, Cyprus offered specialized maritime and port-security training opportunities for Liberia, including capacity building in areas such as maritime security, law enforcement, customs and related security disciplines.
Cyprus also offered scholarship and specialized training opportunities for Liberians, including in maritime-related fields. Minister Nyanti welcomed both offers as tangible outcomes aligned with Liberia’s priorities for strengthening institutional capacity and investing in human-capital development.
The Ministers also discussed establishing a Liberia–Cyprus Joint Commission to coordinate bilateral cooperation and help translate agreements into concrete programs and measurable outcomes.
Minister Kombos extended an official invitation to Minister Nyanti to visit Cyprus, providing an opportunity to advance the agreements reached in New York and deepen engagement in maritime affairs, education, security and other areas.
The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments and opportunities for closer multilateral coordination. Minister Nyanti highlighted Liberia’s current tenure on the United Nations Security Council and its commitment to constructive multilateral diplomacy and international peace and security.
The signing of the Political Consultations MOU, together with commitments on maritime and port-security training, scholarships and institutional cooperation, marks a significant step toward transforming Liberia–Cyprus relations into a more active, practical and mutually beneficial partnership.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work with relevant Liberian institutions and its Cypriot counterparts to advance the commitments and opportunities identified during the meeting. See less
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