PARIS, FRANCE – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai held a landmark bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Élysée Palace in Paris, focusing on deepening Liberia–France relations and advancing Liberia’s international aspirations.
During the discussions, President Boakai underscored Liberia’s historic role as Africa’s oldest republic and as one of the four original signatories to the United Nations Charter. He noted that despite this legacy, Liberia remains the only one among these founding nations that has never completed a full term on the UN Security Council, emphasizing the symbolic and strategic significance of the country’s recent election to a non-permanent seat.
Highlighting Liberia’s international objectives, President Boakai called on President Macron to support Liberia’s nomination as Chair and Co-Chair for four sanctions committees during upcoming deliberations at the P5 level. This request reflects Liberia’s ambition to leverage its seat on the Security Council to influence critical decisions on peace, security, and humanitarian issues globally.
The Liberian President also used the meeting to showcase his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth, citing programs designed to empower women and persons with disabilities. He stressed that such initiatives are crucial to fostering equitable development and enhancing social cohesion across the country.
Both leaders acknowledged the importance of translating discussions into concrete outcomes, agreeing that technical cooperation and follow-up mechanisms would be implemented to ensure that commitments made during the visit are fully realized.
In a gesture of friendship and mutual respect, President Boakai extended a formal invitation to President Macron for a state visit to Liberia, which the French President warmly accepted. Both leaders instructed their Ministries of Foreign Affairs to coordinate the modalities and timelines for the visit, signaling a new chapter in bilateral relations.
The meeting also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in areas critical to Liberia’s development agenda, including education, renewable energy, infrastructure, and governance. Both Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to peace, democracy, and multilateral engagement as guiding principles of the bilateral relationship.
President Boakai expressed profound appreciation to President Macron and the people of France for their enduring friendship and partnership, noting that France’s support remains pivotal as Liberia seeks to expand its global engagement and implement transformative development initiatives.
Analysts say the meeting reflects Liberia’s growing diplomatic assertiveness under President Boakai, demonstrating a strategic approach to leveraging historic relationships for contemporary benefits on the global stage. By securing France’s backing at the UN, Liberia positions itself to influence key international decisions while fostering development partnerships at home.
The Paris discussions also set the stage for deeper technical collaboration, with both countries agreeing to explore joint programs, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and investment projects that align with Liberia’s national priorities.
For Liberia, the engagement with France is not merely symbolic; it represents a tangible pathway to attract foreign investment, enhance institutional capacity, and reinforce the country’s credibility as a responsible member of the international community.
President Boakai concluded the meeting by reiterating Liberia’s commitment to fostering strong bilateral relations with France, stressing that sustained cooperation will benefit both nations, particularly in areas of trade, governance, and cultural exchange.
