Liberia has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to global cooperation, sustainable development, and the transformative role of education, science, and culture on the international stage. Speaking at the 221st Session of the UNESCO Executive Board in Paris on April 7, 2025, Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah delivered a powerful address on behalf of the government and people of Liberia, underscoring the country’s alignment with multilateral goals and its deepening partnership with UNESCO.
“We must move beyond rhetoric to concrete actions that uphold human dignity, empower communities, and drive collective prosperity,” Dr. Jallah told global delegates, as she praised UNESCO’s leadership under Director-General Audrey Azoulay and reiterated Liberia’s support for the Priority Africa initiative.
With Liberia currently holding a seat on the UNESCO Executive Board, Dr. Jallah used the occasion to spotlight national efforts that demonstrate how international cooperation can yield real, measurable progress. Central to her remarks was education, a pillar of Liberia’s development strategy. She highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at improving quality, accountability, and equity across the sector. Among the standout initiatives is the deployment of solar-powered C3 Micro Cloud Systems to 156 public schools in all 15 counties, a major step toward expanding access to digital learning in rural and underserved areas.
Dr. Jallah also acknowledged the tangible benefits of UNESCO’s Capacity Development for Education (CapED) Programme in Liberia. She credited the program with helping to integrate Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) data into the country’s Education Management Information System (EMIS), a move that strengthens evidence-based planning and decision-making.
Turning to science and sustainability, she reported that Liberia, with UNESCO’s technical support, has adopted the Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA) methodology to manage three major watersheds serving over 40 percent of the population. She also lauded the establishment of Innovation Hubs at four regional universities, made possible through UNESCO’s STEM initiatives, to foster local research and innovation.
On culture, Dr. Jallah emphasized the value of Liberia’s rich heritage and its proactive role in the ongoing MONDIACULT 2025 regional consultations, which aim to align national cultural policies with global sustainable development objectives. She also announced Liberia’s upcoming participation in the West Africa Conference on Information Integrity, highlighting the growing importance of responsible digital citizenship and cultural preservation in a rapidly evolving digital world.
As the session progressed with opening remarks from the Chairperson of the Executive Board, the President of the General Conference, and Director-General Azoulay, Dr. Jallah closed her speech by aligning Liberia with the Africa Group’s position. She called for sustained investment in UNESCO’s core areas, particularly digital transformation, teacher training, and the inclusion of African heritage sites in future UNESCO Global Geoparks designations.
