Liberia assumes chairmanship of African Group at United Nations
Liberia has assumed the chairmanship of the African Group at the United Nations for February 2026, following a formal handover ceremony held Friday at the African Union Observer Mission to the U.N. in New York.
Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Lewis Garseedeh Brown II, received the gavel of authority from Lesotho’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Matete Paul Nena, who chaired the group in January.
The transition was facilitated by the African Union’s Permanent Observer to the U.N., Ambassador Mohamed Fathi Ahmed Edrees of Egypt.
During the ceremony, Edrees briefed the Liberian delegation on the group’s program of work and Africa’s collective priorities for the month.
Brown thanked Lesotho for its leadership and said Liberia was honored to guide the African Group, emphasizing that Africa’s shared interests would remain Liberia’s top priority despite its current tenure as a non permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.
He also recalled that during a previous Liberian chairmanship, the first retreat of African permanent representatives to the United Nations in New York was convened, and pledged to lead the group with dedication. Liberia has assumed the chairmanship of the African Group at the United Nations for February 2026, following a formal handover ceremony held Friday at the African Union Observer Mission to the U.N. in New York.
Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Lewis Garseedeh Brown II, received the gavel of authority from Lesotho’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Matete Paul Nena, who chaired the group in January.
The transition was facilitated by the African Union’s Permanent Observer to the U.N., Ambassador Mohamed Fathi Ahmed Edrees of Egypt.
During the ceremony, Edrees briefed the Liberian delegation on the group’s program of work and Africa’s collective priorities for the month.
Brown thanked Lesotho for its leadership and said Liberia was honored to guide the African Group, emphasizing that Africa’s shared interests would remain Liberia’s top priority despite its current tenure as a non permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.
He also recalled that during a previous Liberian chairmanship, the first retreat of African permanent representatives to the United Nations in New York was convened, and pledged to lead the group with dedication.
![]()
