After 44 years of absence, Liberia has reestablished a permanent presence at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome with the official launch of the Liberia Situation Room.
The facility was inaugurated on the sidelines of the 44th Session of the FAO Conference, with Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah and Deputy Minister Antoinette F. Dukuly leading the Liberian delegation.
FAO Director-General Dr. Qu Dongyu applauded the move, describing it as a long-overdue step to reconnect Liberia with global agricultural systems. “President Boakai came here in 1981 as Minister of Agriculture. Now, as President, he saw Liberia had no presence at FAO after four decades and acted,” Dr. Qu said. “I congratulate Liberia, you made a good choice.”
The Liberia Situation Room will serve as a hub for real-time engagement, technical coordination, and policy alignment between Liberia and the FAO. It is aimed at improving the country’s response to food insecurity, strengthening data systems, and enhancing collaboration on agriculture and rural development.
Minister Nuetah said the initiative was driven by President Boakai’s directive issued in October 2024 following his visit to the FAO headquarters. “He walked the halls and said, ‘I do not see Liberia’s presence here,’” Nuetah recalled. “That statement became a mandate, and today it’s a reality.”
Dr. Qu commended Minister Nuetah’s leadership and noted his international experience, including studies in China and fluency in Mandarin, as key assets in advancing South-South cooperation.
The Agriculture Ministry is also advocating for an expanded FAO presence in Liberia to support the rollout of national priorities, including food security, rural development, and sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Nuetah emphasized President Boakai’s longstanding connection to the agriculture sector and called for sustained technical support from FAO. “Agriculture is not just part of the President’s past, it’s his top priority,” he said.
