December 11, 2025
Executive Mansion, Monrovia: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., today received in audience the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Mr. Qu Dongyu, and his high-level delegation at the Executive Mansion for a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening Liberia’s agricultural transformation agenda.
The visiting FAO delegation included Mr. Godfrey Magwenzi, Deputy Director-General; Dr. Maximo Torero, Chief Economist; Dr. Abebe Haile Gabriel, Assistant Director-General; Mr. Yang Hau; Ms. Lineo Molise; and Mr. Hong Shen, among other senior officials.
During the meeting, President Boakai welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for FAO’s longstanding partnership and support to Liberia, emphasizing that the country is ready to fully harness its fertile land, favorable climate, and rich agricultural potential. He asserted that Liberia is now positioned to “harvest what has been planted over the years,” expressing his Administration’s plans for modernization, commercialization, and ensuring food security.
The FAO Director-General, Mr. Qu Dongyu, praised Liberia’s renewed drive toward agricultural development. He referenced the country’s rich natural resources, including its distinctive Liberica coffee, which he noted has a unique global niche and significant export potential.
Mr. Qu expressed FAO’s strive toward deepening its technical and financial collaboration with Liberia, focused on improving value chains, strengthening farmer resilience, and supporting youth engagement in agriculture.
He also highlighted opportunities for enhanced cooperation through China’s Academy for Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS), which can provide critical research, training, and technology transfer to strengthen productivity and boost innovation in Liberia’s agricultural sector.
The FAO Chief, on behalf of the delegation, expressed satisfaction with Liberia’s direction and reiterated FAO’s readiness to support key national priorities—particularly in seeds development, climate-smart agriculture, and expanding market access for Liberian commodities.
President Boakai thanked the Director-General and his Team for their continued support and pledged his Government’s support to working with FAO and other partners to ensure that agriculture becomes a driver of economic growth and national prosperity.
