MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Sixth Edition of the Model United Nations (MUN) Liberia Conference has concluded in Monrovia, with a call to strengthen the role of the United Nations in Mobilizing international support and Financing for the SDGs.
The Key areas of the conference focus on closing the SDG financing gap, empowering UN oversight, innovative financing mechanisms, and National Ownership and Capacity building.
Making remarks, UNDP Resident Representative Aliou Dia emphasized the importance of the theme “Global Citizens, Local Impact”: Action and Innovation for a Sustainable Future.
Dia highlighted the UN’s role in supporting global issues and encouraged young delegates to take local actions to address global problems.
The UNDP Resident Rep. stressed the importance of knowledge, leadership, and creating opportunities and not waiting for them to be given, adding that young leaders have the responsibility to proffer solutions and ideas to contribute to global decision-making.
In remarks, the deputy foreign minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Dr Ibrahim Nyei, said being global citizens means understanding the interconnectedness of global events and their impact on local actions.
Dr Nyei said:” The rise of technology, particularly the internet and smartphones, has significantly changed how people communicate and trade globally”.
He emphasized the importance of delivering global ambitions locally, using the Sustainable Development Goals as an example, highlighting the importance of innovation in solving old problems with new tools using examples like mobile money and drone technology.
The deputy Foriegn Minister see the Model United Nations as a platform for young people to engage in international diplomacy and national leadership, noting that the future can not be sustainable if it is not inclusive and developing countries, particularly African Countries, need to take their rightful seat in global decision-making bodies.
He commended the secretariat of MUN-Liberia and committed the ministry’s continuous support to future conferences.
Meanwhile, the Senior Political Advisor to President Joseph Boakai, Madam Mcdella Cooper, underscored the significance of Liberia’s presence on the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member.
Madam Cooper emphasized the importance of the UN in protecting human rights, promoting peace, and ensuring education for all Children.
Madam Cooper expressed confidence in the attendees’ potential to become influential leaders and wished the coming days of deliberations would be successful in changing the narratives.
Providing the overview of the conference, the Deputy Executive Director of MUN-Liberia, Tom-Deozil Wonkpah, said Liberia has one of the youngest populations in the world, filled with energy, creativity, ideas, and enormous potential.
Many young people continue to face limited opportunities to acquire the leadership, policy, diplomatic, and professional skills necessary to contribute effectively to the development of our country and the wider region, Wonkpah added.
Wonkpah emphasized that MUN-Liberia was created to help bridge that gap, recognizing that meaningful youth participation cannot be achieved by simply inviting young people into rooms where decisions are made.
He said:” Young people must also be equipped with the knowledge, confidence, networks, and practical tools to contribute effectively when they get there”.
That is why MUN-Liberia provides a structured platform where young people can engage with issues relating to peace and security, governance, climate action, education, economic development, human rights, international cooperation, and the Sustainable Development Goals, he stated.
Wonkpah commended international, the secretariat, and regional partners, particularly Dream Model United Nations (DRIMUN) and ELITE MUN, for standing with MUN-Liberia and contributing to the growth of youth-led diplomacy and Model United Nations across the region.
Your partnership reminds us that the development of young people cannot be achieved by one organization alone. It requires collaboration, trust, shared vision, and a collective commitment to building the next generation of leaders, he noted.
The conference brought together 200 Participants and 150 delegates who engage in meaningful discussions around six important global issues, exchange perspectives, negotiate solutions, and reach consensus.
As part of this move, the delegates have been assigned to six specialized committees: the UN Security Council, UN Women, UNFPA, UNFCCC, UNDP, and UNICEF committees, respectively.
The Conference was characterized by speeches, General Assembly sessions, Committee sessions, an awards night for outstanding delegates, a diplomatic outing, and entertainment.