SPEECH DELIVERED BY HONORABLE RICHARD NAGBE KOON, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA, AT THE MEETING OF SPEAKERS OF PARLIAMENTS OF THE AFRICAN ATLANTIC STATES, RABAT, MOROCCO
Honourable Guests and Distinguished Delegates,
Honorable Rachid Talbi El Alami, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco; Honorable Mohamed Ould Errachid, President of the House of Councilors; Excellency Roab Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates; Honorable Fellow Speakers of the Member States of the African Atlantic States; Distinguished Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen:
I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Government and Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco for orchestrating this pivotal Meeting of Speakers of Parliaments of the African Atlantic States here in Rabat.
Representing the Government and people of Liberia, I bring warm greetings from His Excellency, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and, specifically, from the 55th Legislature of Liberia. I reiterate our relentless commitment to the shared vision of prosperity, stability, and cooperation among the Atlantic African States.
As we chart the course for our continent’s future, it is crucial to underscore the imperative of positioning Liberia as a central hub for strategic investments, with a particular focus on empowering our vibrant youth population.
Africa’s most precious resource is its youthful populace. Yet, due to economic volatility and limited opportunities, countless young individuals embark on perilous odysseys across the Atlantic, seeking better prospects abroad.
This exodus siphons off our continent’s most dynamic minds, eroding our developmental path. We must invert this trend by investing robustly in our youth, providing them with the requisite skills, opportunities, and environment to flourish within their homeland.
The Trans-Atlantic Cooperation and Economic Development
We laud His Majesty King Mohammed VI and Honorable Rachid Talbi El Alami, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco, for their visionary foresight in inaugurating the Atlantic Initiative.
This initiative unveils a remarkable opportunity to transform the Atlantic Ocean from a historical corridor of exploitation into a vibrant gateway for economic expansion and regional integration.
The Trans-Atlantic Cooperation furnishes a platform to foster trade, amplify investments, and capitalize on Africa’s extensive natural and human resources for inclusive growth.
Despite harboring approximately 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, Africa’s share in global trade languishes below 3%.
This stark disparity must shift.
Liberia, endowed with abundant iron ore, timber, and agricultural potential, emerges as a beacon of opportunity for sustainable investments.
We invite regional and global partners to consider Liberia as a strategic nexus for industrialization, value-added processing, and job creation, aligning seamlessly with the overarching objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Tackling Transnational Crime and Illicit Financial Flows
Regrettably, the Atlantic region serves not only as a conduit for economic endeavors but also as a breeding ground for transnational organized crimes, illicit financial flows, and money laundering.
Recent findings from the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) reveal that Africa forfeits an estimated $88.6 billion annually to illicit financial outflows, severely impeding sustainable development.
Criminal syndicates exploit lax regulatory regimes, trafficking drugs, arms, and individuals across our seas, fueling instability and poverty.
To counter these threats, Liberia advocates for enhanced regional coordination in:
✔️ Maritime security
✔️ Financial regulation
✔️ Anti-money laundering frameworks
I, Speaker of the 55th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, with full endorsement of the 55th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, recommend to this sitting that we establish the Parliament of the African Atlantic States, electing a Speaker and leadership to address major issues along our Atlantic corridor.
I further propose that the Parliament be headquartered in Morocco.
We must enforce rigorous regulations, bolster intelligence-sharing, and support endeavors that protect our economies from exploitation by nefarious entities.
Moreover, our governments must collaborate intensively to dismantle terrorist financing networks operating within the Atlantic corridor.
A Call for Africa’s Stronger Economies to Support Smaller Nations
Liberia recognizes the economic disparities among African nations. While several of our sister states boast robust economies, smaller nations like ours grapple with underdevelopment, pervasive unemployment, and deficient infrastructure.
It is high time for Africa’s leading economies to pivot towards bolstering smaller and less affluent nations through: Regional trade, Investment and Capacity-building initiatives.
This is the idea of Pan-Africanism—elevating each other to forge a self-sufficient and prosperous continent. We urge African financial institutions, development banks, and the private sector to direct investments into high-impact sectors in underdeveloped nations, promoting regional stability and economic resilience.
Liberia’s Bid for the UN Security Council Non-Permanent Seat
As we engage in strategic partnerships for regional advancement, I wish to underscore Liberia’s candidacy for the United Nations Security Council Non-Permanent Seat for the 2026-2027 term.
Liberia’s storied legacy of peacekeeping and democratic resilience renders it an excellent candidate to champion Africa’s collective interests on the global stage. We humbly solicit the backing of all member states in this endeavor, reaffirming our collective dedication to global peace and security.
As I conclude, I must emphasize that the destiny of Africa’s Atlantic States hinges on the strategic decisions we enact today. Let us pledge to prioritize youth empowerment, combat illicit financial flows, and utilize the Atlantic as a conduit for sustainable development.
Liberia stands poised to be a pivotal ally in this transformative journey, ensuring that no African nation is left behind. Together, we can create a future replete with prosperity, stability, and regional integration.
Thank you.
