IPNEWS: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through its Inclusive Green Growth Pillar hosted the third edition of its flagship forum, the “Inclusive Hour” on Wednesday, 9 April 2025 focusing on the recent freeze in USAID funding and its implications for Liberia’s national development agenda.
Held at the One UN House in Monrovia, the interactive dialogue brought together policymakers, government officials, UN staff, students, and other development stakeholders.
The event, organized under UNDP Liberia’s Green and Inclusive Growth Cluster, serves as a biannual platform for engaging in discussions on pressing national and international development issues.
UNDP Liberia Resident Representative Aliou Dia opened the forum, emphasizing the need to deepen the understanding of the evolving aid landscape and the critical role of the UN in supporting Liberia’s development priorities.
“This platform helps reflect, learn, and adjust programming to align with Liberia’s needs. Today’s discussion is particularly important in the wake of the aftermath of the USAID aid freeze,” Dia mentioned.
He praised Finance and Development Planning Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, for his willingness to engage in open dialogue on the challenges and potential solutions following the suspension of aid.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Christine Umutoni, also lauded the UNDP for organizing the forum, describing it as a valuable initiative that strengthens collaboration and transparency among development actors.
She noted that the aid freeze is not unique to Liberia and urged stakeholders to work together in finding sustainable solutions.
In his keynote address, Minister Augustine Ngafuan expressed concern over the human impact of the USAID decision.
“It’s sad to see competent professionals who have lost their jobs and income. USAID was our second-largest donor after the World Bank,” Ngafuan said.
However, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning pointed out that the freeze should not be seen as a punitive action that targets Liberia. The Minister noted that the government respects the decision of the United States.
He emphasized the importance of domestic resource mobilization as a path towards resilience.
He was quick to point out that “the government is considering repurposing and redirecting funding to critical projects previously supported by USAID to address current priorities”.
Minister Ngafuan emphasized that the current global trend could be seen as a blessing in disguise for African Solidarity.
“The continent could turn the situation into a positive anger that revolutionizes our integration, an opportunity and a wake-up call to take ourselves seriously, get stronger, avoid unnecessary assumptions, and see hope at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
The Inclusive Hour also featured contributions from students at the Stella Maris Polytechnic University and other participants, underscoring the event’s commitment to inclusive and participatory dialogue.
The forum concluded with a call for continued collaboration, innovation, and accountability in addressing Liberia’s development challenges amidst shifting global dynamics.
