AMBASSADORIAL-LEVEL MEETING OF THE UN PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION CONFIGURATION ON LIBERIA
28 May 2025
Statement by Sheona McKenna, Acting Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
Thank you Chair,
We thank all briefers for their valuable contributions and extend particular thanks to Liberia’s Foreign Minister and Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection for their presentations.
Chair, I have three points today:
First, we commend the Liberian Government on its commitment to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth Peace and Security agendas, including the mainstreaming of peace, reconciliation and gender issues throughout the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and the implementation of WPS National Action Plans.
We particularly welcome participation of women and girls in decision-making processes as one of the five key pillars in the current National Action Plan. This week, Australia is co-hosting the 2025 Conflict Prevention and Sustainable Peace Forum in Accra and we look forward to hearing from the Liberian Ambassador Madam Medina Wesseh on the critical role of women in governance, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution—particularly during political transitions and in fragile security environments.
Second, we welcome Liberia’s efforts in transitional justice and its commitment to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee.
We are pleased to note the renewal of the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court mandate and the commitment of USD2 million to fund its operation.
We commend this example of Liberia’s national ownership and leadership over its peacebuilding journey.
Third, we welcome the Liberian Government’s sustained engagement with the Peacebuilding Commission.
We would welcome reflections from Liberia’s Ministers and the Chair of the Country-Specific Configuration on how the Peacebuilding Commission can continue to support Liberia’s peacebuilding priorities, including its WPS action plan.
We also welcome the sustained support from the Peacebuilding Fund, which is currently supporting nine projects working to advance social cohesion and democratic governance.
This important work is one of the reasons why Australia has tripled our annual contribution to the Peacebuilding Fund to AUD15 million per year.
We look forward to working with Liberia in support of its peacebuilding priorities.
Thank you.