Liberia has  acceded to  the International Cocoa Agreement   which came into effect in October 1, 2010.  In the Instrument of Acceptance, Liberia's Foreign Minister, His Excellency Augustine Kphe Ngafuan declared that the Government of the Republic Liberia, having considered the provisions of the Agreement was pleased to deposit its instrument of acceptance and  that as an exporting country, Liberia undertakes faithfully to perform and carry out the provisions  contained therein.

 

Depositing the instrument  on behalf of Liberia, Ambassador Marjon Kamara, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations said that the

Government of Liberia wishes to notify the depository  that , in accordance with its constitutional procedures /or national   laws and regulations, the said agreement will be applied provisionally pending the ratification process.

 

The objectives of International Cocoa Agreement among other things, are  to promote international cooperation in the world cocoa economy, as well as  encourage  consumption of chocolate and cocoa-based products in order to increase demand for cocoa. So far ,  only 12 countries, including Liberia  have acceded to the Agreement . European Union has also acceded. 

 

Meanwhile, the  Chief of the UN Treaty Section, Mr.   Santiago Villalpando,  has commended Liberia  for acceding to the Treaty and urged  other Member States to follow the example  in the light of what he described as significant boost to the global  cocoa market/industry.