27/07/2025
Vice President Koung Leads Liberia’s Push for Food Systems Transformation at UN Food Systems Summit in Ethiopia
MONROVIA, Liberia, July 27, 2025 – The Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Honorable Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Sr., will depart Liberia today for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., at the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+4), scheduled for July 27–29, 2025.
This high-level summit brings together global leaders, policymakers, and development partners to assess progress and accelerate action toward transforming food systems in support of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular emphasis on ending hunger and malnutrition.
In his address to the summit plenary, Vice President Koung will reaffirm Liberia’s commitment to achieving food security, building climate resilience, and advancing agricultural transformation.
He will also highlight key priorities of the Boakai administration, including empowering smallholder farmers, expanding agro-processing opportunities, and fostering strong public-private partnerships to increase domestic food production and reduce the country’s dependence on food imports.
While in Addis Ababa, the Vice President is expected to hold bilateral meetings with:
H.E. Taye Atske Selassie, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
H.E. Mohamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission
Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa.
These high-level engagements aim to deepen regional cooperation and attract strategic investment into Liberia’s agriculture sector.
The Vice President will also attend a high-level session organized by the African Union Commission in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD, titled: “The CAADP Kampala Declaration – Driving Africa’s Food Systems Future: NextGen Agri-Food Entrepreneurs in Dialogue with African Leaders,” scheduled for 29th July 2025.
The session will explore how Africa’s emerging agri-food entrepreneurs can partner with political leadership to shape inclusive, sustainable food systems across the continent.
President Boakai’s decision to delegate the Vice President to this summit underscores the Government of Liberia’s strong commitment to international partnerships and multilateral collaboration in achieving sustainable food systems and national development goals.
• The official Liberian delegation includes:
• Hon. Samuel A. Stevquoah, Minister of State Without Portfolio
• Hon. Ibrahim Al-Bakri Nyei, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation and Integration
• Hon. Folton Blasin, Assistant Minister for Administration, Ministry of Agriculture
• Madam Jeanine Milly Cooper, Special Envoy on Climate Change
• Mr. Trokon A. Taar, Director General, Liberia News Agency
Liberia remains resolute in its pursuit of inclusive, climate-smart, and resilient food systems that improve lives and secure a better future for all.
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