By Staff Writer | Smart News Liberia
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK – The Liberian government has renewed its commitment to advancing safe, orderly, and regular migration policies during the Second Plenary Meeting of the 2026 International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The high-level forum, convened from May 5 to 8, 2026, brought together United Nations Member States and international stakeholders to evaluate progress made under the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), a framework aimed at improving international migration governance and cooperation.
Representing Liberia at the forum, Cllr. Jeddi Mowbray Armah, Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Liberia sees migration as an opportunity that can contribute to national growth if effectively managed.
According to Deputy Minister Armah, Liberia does not regard migration “as a challenge to be contained, but as a reality to be governed and an opportunity to be harnessed.” He stressed that the government remains committed to strengthening migration governance through institutional reforms and coordinated national strategies.
Armah highlighted the establishment of a Technical Coordination Mechanism on Migration, which he said has enhanced collaboration among government institutions under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He added that the initiative reflects Liberia’s broader “whole-of-government approach” toward migration management.
The Deputy Minister further disclosed that migration issues have now been integrated into the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (2025–2029). According to him, the inclusion demonstrates the administration’s belief that properly managed migration can support economic expansion, improve national resilience, and promote long-term stability.
Speaking on policy reforms, Armah noted that Liberia has continued to strengthen its migration data systems through the findings of the 2022 Population and Housing Census as well as Migration Governance Indicator assessments. He explained that these efforts are helping authorities identify policy gaps and shape future reforms.
He also pointed to ongoing initiatives aimed at modernizing Liberia’s border management systems, reinforcing legal measures against human trafficking, and improving coordination among institutions responsible for protecting migrants and vulnerable populations.
On the role of Liberians living abroad, Armah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to engaging the Diaspora community through structured programs designed to convert diaspora participation into meaningful national development outcomes. He said the government recognizes the importance of Liberians overseas in supporting economic growth and social transformation.
Despite the progress made, the Deputy Minister acknowledged that Liberia continues to face several challenges, including fragmented migration data systems and limited institutional capacity. However, he maintained that those obstacles have strengthened the government’s resolve to adopt a comprehensive national migration policy while investing in digital systems, border infrastructure, and stronger protection frameworks.
Armah concluded by reaffirming Liberia’s dedication to the “full, effective and inclusive implementation” of the Global Compact for Migration, emphasizing the country’s willingness to continue working with international partners and stakeholders to improve migration governance.
Liberia’s delegation to the 2026 International Migration Review Forum also included Daniel Koikoi Jr., Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Varlee Sarnor, Deputy Executive Director for Operations at the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC). Officials from Liberia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations also provided technical support during the forum.
The International Migration Review Forum is held every four years and serves as the principal global platform for assessing implementation of the Global Compact for Migration. The 2026 gathering featured policy debates, plenary discussions, and multi-stakeholder roundtables before concluding with the adoption of a progress declaration by participating Member States.
