THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016

Foreign Minister Marjon Kamara assertion that the international community needs to consolidate efforts in order to achieve the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, President Johnson Sirleaf issuance of  a Proclamation declaring Monday, April 25, as World Malaria Day and  Foreign Minister Kamara’s  warning  that unless concrete steps are taken to actualize the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the world stands to suffer its devastating consequences are stories  dominating  today’s edition of our regular summary of the local dailies.   

DOMINANT STORIES  

Foreign Minister Urges Global Alliance 

The New Democrat newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release as saying that Foreign Minister Marjon Kamara is urging the international community to consolidate efforts and work in the spirit of collaboration to achieve the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  She said global coordination in the implementation process of the SDGs is important for the benefit of present and future generations. According to the dispatch from New York, Foreign Minister Kamara made the statement when she represented President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the High-Level Thematic Debate on Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, April 21, 2016. Liberia’s Foreign Minister said the timing of the debate was appropriate because, according her, such debate will afford the Member States the opportunity to revisit issues deemed essential to the realization of the SDGs. In this regard, she said, President Sirleaf retains a strong commitment and resolve to ensure that Liberia engages fully in the collective effort to improve lives and livelihoods through the global agenda. Minister Kamara informed the audience that the Government of Liberia has been effectively engaged in the SDGs processes and that following the conclusion of global negotiations, the Cabinet reviewed the new agenda and  endorsed the proposal for its alignment with the country’s national development plan, Agenda for Transformation (AfT).  Speaking further, Minister Kamara intimated that the SDGs was launched in Liberia in January 2016, which brought together  representatives from the three branches of the Government as well the media, academia, women and youth organizations, the private sector and the civil society.  "The event provided the opportunity for an exchange of views on the role of all stakeholders in the implementation of the agenda and the promotion of national and local ownership," she said. Minister Kamara said the Government of Liberia is currently engaged in a midterm review of its Agenda for Transformation with the objective of aligning and synergizing the National Vision 2030, the Africa Union's “Agenda 2063” as well as the Global 2030 Development Agenda.  "We believe that the consolidation of development priorities and building consensus at all levels will contribute to acceleration of the domestication process, she indicated, adding that these processes are anchored in the Government's decentralization program aimed at enhancing local governance that will engender local ownership of national development.  She also stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment for the ultimate success of the SDGs. On this, she said, the current global economic downturn is negatively impacting economies. She specifically mentioned that Liberia was affected by the drastic reduction in prices of its principal export commodities, iron ore and rubber, which has impeded the post-Ebola Recovery and Stabilization Plan. Minister Kamara pointed out that the challenges facing the global community underscore the imperative of strategic partnership at all levels. As such, Liberia has begun to forge partnership with agencies of the UN system, regional bodies, financial, as well as, bilateral entities and that, such partnership has been encouraging. She suggested for the reinforcement of outreach to the private sector, while capitalizing effectively on the commitment and financing possibilities offered in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. For his part, the President of the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Mogens Lykketoft called on the international community to work in close collaboration to achieve SDG goals. This, he said, was necessary to end hunger, disease and inequality throughout the globe. The SDGs was adopted by the UN Septembers 2015, to address challenges and gaps left over by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Related Captions: FM Kamara Urges Global Collaboration On SDGs(FOCUS), Minister Kamara Speaks At High-Level Thematic Debate(The NEWS), (New Democrat)

Today Is World Malaria Day

According to the News newspaper, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared Monday, April 25, as “World Malaria Malaria Day” and is to be observed throughout the Republic as a Working Holiday. Conscious of the harmful effect and burden malaria poses on the human race, particularly in Africa, a Resolution declaring April 25 of each year as Africa Malaria Day, amended as World Malaria Day. It was adopted by the Summit of African Heads of States held in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1997, which called on Member States of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the Africa Union (AU), to initiate and implement plans of Actions that would curtail malaria and malaria-related mortality in Africa. According to a Foreign Ministry release, April 25 is the 9^th World Malaria Day, and will be celebrated in Ganta City, Nimba County, under the theme: “End Malaria for Good”, and the local slogan, “Pregnant Women, Go to the Clinic for Malaria Medicine.”

Related Captions: Today is World Malaria Day(FOCUS), Today is World Malaria Day(Heritage)

‘Climate Change A Global Threat’… Foreign Minister Kamara

According to Daily Observer, Foreign Minister Marjon Kamara is warning that unless concrete steps are taken to actualize the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the world stands to suffer its devastating consequences. The Liberian top diplomat said while it is equally important to take a critical look at the prospects of financing and development goals,  the issue which brought Member States together in New York  is essential for all because the issue of climate change concerns the existence of our planet. According to the dispatch from New York, Minister Kamara made the assertion when she delivered a statement on behalf President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the High-Level signing ceremony of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Friday, April 22, 2016. Liberia’s foreign minister said there can be no denying that climate change and its effects present an existential threat to the global community including Africa which is threatened by an ever advancing desert, soil erosion on ocean fronts as well as unpredictable raining seasons. ''Ultimately, we are all on the same boat. We both take the difficult steps and make the future of our planet a high global priority or we put future generations at risk,” she indicated, adding, “The one responsibility that we all share as humans is to leave this planet better than we found it." Minister Kamara, who joined many world leaders in signing the Paris Agreement on behalf of the Government of Liberia, said that by signing the binding and universal agreement on this day, signifies a renewed hope and commitment to pursue a set of policies and strategies aimed at addressing the adverse impacts of climate change; adding, "Liberia has already initiated actions toward the ratification of the Agreement this year." Speaking on steps being taken by the Government of Liberia towards climate change, Minister Kamara indicated that since 2014, Liberia established a Climate Change Secretariat and developed a national low emission strategy which is being integrated into the country's Agenda for Transformation. She said this strategy targets reduction in carbon emission, climate agriculture production and defense against coastal erosion. This strategy, according to Minister Kamara, has an implementation period of five years, with overreaching objectives of achieving the "well below 2 degree Celsius" target.

Related Captions: Foreign Minister Speaks On Climate Change And Its Effects(The INQUIRER), Climate Change Poses Global Threat-Foreign Minister Asserts(Women Voices)

Pres. Sirleaf Optimistic Administration Will Meet Goals

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has said despite the challenges confronting her government, the goals set by her administration will be met. President Sirleaf made the statement Thursday in her remarks at the dedication of the Margibi County Service (CSC) in Kakata City, Margibi County. The Margibi CSC is part the government’s Decentralization Platform and primarily intended to bring services closer to the people. The Service Center is a one-stop shop where documentation service relating to permits, licenses and certifications are offered reflecting the same quality and cost in Monrovia, reports the FOCUS newspaper.

Related Caption: Ellen Optimistic Administration will Meet Goals(Heritage), ‘My Purpose \not Yet Complete’-Ellen(The New Dawn),We’ll Meet Target President Sirleaf Assures(New Democrat)

OTHER STORIES

Acting Foreign Minister Shoniyin meets with AU Delegation

The Inquirer daily quoting a Foreign Ministry release pans that a three-member delegation of the African  Union (AU) has met with Acting Foreign Minister, Hon. B. Elias Shoniyin, to begin discussions on the domestication of AU’s “Agenda 2063” at the national level. Aiming to encourage discussion among all stakeholders, “Agenda 2063” is an approach to how the continent should effectively learn from the lessons of the past, build on the progress now underway and strategically exploit all possible opportunities available in the short, medium and long term, so as to ensure positive socioeconomic transformation within the next 50 years. Simply put, “Agenda 2063” is ‘a global strategy to improve use of Africa’s resources for the benefit of all Africans’. A Foreign Ministry Release says the three-member delegation, who are on a technical support mission to Member States, were sent by the AU Commission, the Inquirer newspaper reports.

Related Caption: AU Delegation Here On Agenda 20163(New Democrat)

Over US$70,000.00 Realized At UL Fund Drive

According to the News newspaper, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has officially launched the University Of Liberia Alumni Association-led Fund Drive, aimed at enhancing a partnership to complement government’s initiative to fund key priority projects that will advance academic work of the institution and its student populace. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf, who drew massive support from members of her Cabinet, their deputies and heads of autonomous agencies, launched the UL-Alumni Association Fund Drive on Thursday, April 21, 2016 in Auditorium of the University of Liberia, on the main campus of the University.

Interim Land Taskforce Established

The President of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, on March 18, 2016 established an Interim Land Task Force (ILTF), following the end of the extended tenure of the Land Commission. The ILTF is charged with the responsibility to undertake and maintain sustained legislative engagement to facilitate the speedy passage of the Liberia Land Authority Bill and to maintain continued engagement with partners, donors and other land sector stakeholders so as to ensure that they remain committed to providing support and assistance to the proposed Liberia Land Authority, and to our land report program within the context of on-going and future projects and programs. The ILFT is to also ensure that provision of essential land related services, which were being provided by or coordinated through the former Land Commission, are continued during the intervening period while awaiting passage of the land Authority Bill, the Inquirer daily reports.

Ellen Breaks Ground for Another Road Project in Gbapolu

A front page story of the Inquirer newspaper reads that in continuation of her developmental initiatives throughout the country, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has broken ground for the construction of another road project in Gbapolu County. The Liberian leader broke ground for the construction of another road project in Gbapulu County. The Liberian leader broke ground for the construction of a road from Morlakwelleh Town in Bokomu District to Palakwelleh Town in Guo Nwolaila District at a brief ceremony held in Morlalwelleh, Gbapoly County, the paper said.  

MOE, WFP Conduct Capacity-Building Workshop in Nimba 

The Ministry of Education in collaboration with the World Food Program (WFP) has embarked on a capacity-building workshop for school authorities in Nimba County’s 12 education districts. The initiative is intended to train and equip school receive from the World Food Program. It is also part of the improvement in the school feeding program of the Ministry of Education and WFP, according to a WFP statement issued here. School authorities of Bain-Garr Education District are part of the second phase of the routine workshop. The WFP School Feeding Program Coordinator assigned in Nimba County, Mr. Mason Pewue, said the training will be rolled out to the rest of the 12 Education Districts after Bain-Garr Education District, the heritage newspaper writes.

Related Caption: MoE, WFO Build Capacity In Nimba(New Democrat)