Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who is also Chairman of the regional body-the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has pledged the commitment of Liberia and the region to working with the United Nations in ensuring a peaceful world and reducing conflicts, extreme poverty and other negative vices affecting the world.
“We reiterate our commitment to continue to address extreme poverty, to empower women and girls, to bring marginalized communities into mainstream society, and to make their voices heard. These are drivers of our transformational push to save our nation and our world”- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President, Republic of Liberia
In an address to the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Sirleaf said the world is facing numerous challenges including the rise of international terrorism, extremis, xenophobia and violence which she noted continue to pose global political, social and economic stability.
Said President Sirleaf: “We note with particular concern the rise of international terrorism, extremism, xenophobia and violence that continue to pose threat to global political, social and economic stability. T
he unabated crisis we continue to witness in the Middle East, on the Continent of Africa, and other parts of the world is a challenge to the noble objectives of the United Nations.
The suffering and massive displacement imposed on the people of Syria who are forced to migrate far from their homeland is a blight on the conscience of the world. This situation questions the resolve of the United Nations”.
Collective Action
President Sirleaf challenged world leaders to work collective to avoid what she termed unacceptable levels of deprivation, poverty and human suffering.
“The current state of our world, conditioned by the realities of insecurity, requires collective concerted action to avoid unacceptable levels of deprivation, poverty and human suffering,” the Liberian leader said.
On ECOWAS initiatives at the sub-regional level, the Chair of ECOWAS disclosed that the sub-regional body has demonstrated its commitment and preparedness to combat terrorism in Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and other parts of the Sub-region with valued support from partners in the international community.
She expressed optimism about the regional initiatives and collaborations at the levels of the African Union, ECOWAS and the United Nations aimed at helping to consolidate peace and security on the African continent.
Added President Sirleaf “ECOWAS, we have emphasized the fight against organized crime, especially cross-border trade in illicit small arms and light weapons, drug and human trafficking, and piracy.
As Chair of ECOWAS, I can confirm that we are unwaveringly committed to continue, with renewed vigor, efforts for the realization of integration, through infrastructure development, trade and investment, natural resource management, food security, and peace and security”.
Addressing extreme poverty
On the prevailing situation in Liberia, President Sirleaf to the UN General Assembly that Liberia continues to repose confidence in the ability of the United Nations as the most viable body in the search for global peace and security, and reaffirms her commitment to support the United Nations in its endeavours to achieve world peace and security, democratic governance and the advancement of the universal principles of human rights.
With Liberia facing economic downturn due to the decline in the prices of commodities from the extractive sector, President told the world that her government remains committed to addressing extreme poverty.
“We reiterate our commitment to continue to address extreme poverty, to empower women and girls, to bring marginalized communities into mainstream society, and to make their voices heard. These are drivers of our transformational push to save our nation and our world,” President Sirleaf vowed.
Recounting the United Nations contributions to Liberia, President Sirleaf explained that since the end of Liberia’s conflict in 2003, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has worked with Liberia first to institute and then to consolidate security, peacebuilding efforts and governance gains in the country.
She informed the world body that the drawdown of the UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia was successful and Liberia has now assumed responsibility of its own security.
“I am pleased to report that the drawdown plan of UNMIL was successfully executed on 30 June 2016, when Liberian security agencies assumed from UNMIL full responsibility for the security of our nation and people. “
“We recognize the risks involved, given the severe state of our fragility and the scarcity of resources, but we stand tall to assume those responsibilities knowing that partners are still with us”, she said.
President Sirleaf is amongst other world leaders currently attending the yearly assembly of the United Nations at the UN headquarters in New York.
This year’s assembly has been overshadowed by the conflict in Syria especially after a peace deal was broken at the same time of the UN Assembly.
The long standing Israel-Palestinian conflict is another major issue being discussed at the Assembly.
Issues such as climate change, terrorism, Iran and US relations, conflict in Sudan and other African countries are also some of the highlights at the UN Assembly.