Liberia Urges Increased Agricultural Investment, Affordable Financing to Combat Poverty at UN

Monrovia Calls for Concessional Loans, Credit Guarantees and Private-Sector Partnerships to Boost Food Production, Strengthen Agribusiness and Advance Inclusive Growth

NEW YORK — Liberia has called for increased investment in agriculture and affordable financing to accelerate poverty eradication, strengthen food security and transform the country’s largely subsistence-based agricultural sector into a commercially viable industry.

Leon Mannie Talery, Assistant Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered Liberia’s position during a joint general discussion of the United Nations General Assembly’s Second Committee at its 81st session.

The discussion focused on Eradication of Poverty and Other Development Issues and Agricultural Development, Food Security and Nutrition.

In his statement, Talery called for expanded concessional financing, blended-finance instruments, credit guarantees and responsible private-sector investment to reduce risks associated with agricultural production and attract capital across the agricultural value chain.

He emphasized that agriculture remains central to Liberia’s economic transformation, particularly as the country seeks to move beyond subsistence farming toward commercially viable agribusinesses capable of generating employment, increasing household incomes and improving national food security.

Liberia’s priorities include increasing domestic food production, improving storage, processing and packaging facilities, strengthening links between farmers and markets, and expanding value addition to locally produced agricultural commodities.

The government believes that increased investment in these areas could improve agricultural productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and create greater economic opportunities for farmers and other participants in the agricultural value chain.

ARREST Agenda at the Center of Development Strategy

Talery also highlighted Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), the government’s nationally owned development framework intended to promote inclusive economic growth, reduce poverty and translate economic progress into measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.

He said Liberia’s development priorities are directed at building a more productive economy, expanding opportunities and ensuring that economic growth contributes to improved living conditions for all Liberians.

The agenda is also intended to support Liberia’s efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those relating to poverty reduction, food security, employment and access to essential services.

Talery stressed that achieving these objectives would require sustained investment, effective implementation of national development policies and stronger partnerships between the government, the private sector and international development partners.

He underscored the importance of national ownership and sound governance in ensuring that development financing translates into tangible benefits for communities.

Five-Year Development Plan Emphasizes Key Sectors

During the discussion, Talery outlined Liberia’s five-year development plan, highlighting agriculture, roads, the rule of law, education, sanitation and tourism as priority areas.

He emphasized that progress across these sectors would be essential to expanding economic opportunities, strengthening public institutions and improving the delivery of essential services.

Agriculture, in particular, remains a key component of the government’s strategy to reduce poverty by expanding productive activities beyond subsistence farming and creating stronger connections between rural producers and domestic markets.

The government’s approach also places emphasis on mobilizing resources to support agricultural production and related businesses, including enterprises involved in processing, packaging, transportation and marketing.

Talery called for greater cooperation with international partners to secure financing and technical support while encouraging responsible private investment capable of strengthening domestic production and supporting long-term economic growth.

Affordable Financing Needed to Unlock Agricultural Potential

Liberia’s appeal for affordable financing reflects the need to mobilize capital for agricultural development while reducing the risks that can discourage investment in the sector.

Concessional financing, which generally offers more favorable terms than commercial borrowing, could help fund agricultural infrastructure and other development priorities. Blended finance, meanwhile, combines public or development resources with private capital to encourage investment in projects that might otherwise be considered too risky.

Credit guarantees could also help improve access to financing for agricultural businesses and other enterprises across the value chain.

Talery stressed that these instruments, alongside responsible private-sector investment, could help attract the resources needed to expand agricultural production and improve the sector’s commercial viability.

However, the effectiveness of such financing would depend on sound implementation, accountable management and the ability to connect investment with practical improvements in production, processing and market access.

Poverty Eradication Requires Long-Term Transformation

In concluding his remarks, Talery described poverty eradication as a central challenge of sustainable development, arguing that it requires structural economic transformation rather than reliance on short-term relief measures.

He said development strategies must prioritize the creation of decent jobs, higher household incomes, stronger food security and expanded access to education, healthcare and other essential services.

For Liberia, these objectives are closely linked to the country’s ability to increase domestic production, strengthen its agricultural sector and create sustainable economic opportunities.

Talery’s statement at the United Nations underscored the government’s position that affordable development financing, stronger partnerships and effective national policies are necessary to accelerate poverty reduction and achieve inclusive growth.

Liberia’s call places agricultural investment at the center of its broader development ambitions, with the stated goal of building a more productive economy in which growth generates measurable improvements in the lives of its citizens.