Liberia’s newly appointed Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Dr. Teeko Tozay Yorlay, on March 13, 2025, officially presented his credentials to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The ceremony highlighted a renewed commitment to enhancing Liberia’s collaboration with the global organization in key areas such as education, culture, heritage conservation, and sustainable development.
In his address, Ambassador Yorlay expressed deep appreciation for UNESCO’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainability through education, science, and culture. He emphasized that UNESCO’s initiatives closely align with Liberia’s national development priorities, particularly under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which focuses on combating crimes threatening cultural heritage, education, and scientific integrity.
During his discussions with Director-General Azoulay, Ambassador Yorlay outlined Liberia’s goal to expand UNESCO’s footprint in the country. The Ambassador called for increased support in digital education, youth empowerment, and heritage conservation. He also highlighted Liberia’s continued commitment to preserving its cultural heritage, noting that the country ratified the World Heritage Convention in 2002 and currently has three sites on its Tentative List: Mount Nimba Strict Reserve (extension), Providence Island, and Gola Rainforest National Park. Liberia is eager to secure its first inscription on the World Heritage List and seeks UNESCO’s technical and financial support to expedite the nomination process. Notably, Liberia is evaluating Gola Rainforest National Park for its potential Outstanding Universal Value, with hopes of submitting a nomination dossier in 2027 and achieving inscription by 2028.
Ambassador Yorlay also spoke about Liberia’s climate-related challenges, including devastating floods impacting communities and infrastructure. He acknowledged UNESCO’s support in strengthening Liberia’s disaster resilience and emphasized the need for continued assistance in enhancing early warning systems and disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies. Ambassador Yorlay highlighted key initiatives such as the Resilient Waters, Resilient Liberia Project, which aims to improve water security and climate resilience through national adaptation plans and hydrological monitoring.
A crucial aspect of the meeting also focused on Liberia’s efforts to advance girls’ education. Ambassador Yorlay reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to increasing access to higher education, scholarships, and STEM education for girls, while seeking UNESCO’s support in addressing gender disparities and improving female enrollment and retention rates at all educational levels. Liberia is also investing in modernizing educational infrastructure, ensuring access to clean water, and integrating technology into classrooms.
The meeting was framed by Liberia’s growing role in global diplomacy, exemplified by its recent election to UNESCO’s Executive Board. Ambassador Yorlay emphasized Liberia’s dedication to international peace, security, and development, aligning with the UN’s broader objectives. He underscored the importance of protecting Liberia’s intellectual and cultural assets and stressed the role of UNESCO in helping to establish international standards for heritage protection.
Concluding the meeting, Ambassador Yorlay expressed optimism about deepening Liberia’s cooperation with UNESCO in areas such as disaster risk reduction, higher education, and cultural heritage preservation. He reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to advancing its national development goals and strengthening its global engagement through continued collaboration with UNESCO. The presentation of credentials marked a pivotal step in enhancing Liberia’s partnership with UNESCO, ensuring that education, culture, and sustainable development remain central to the country’s diplomatic and national priorities.
