UN Envoy Welcomes Liberia’s Progress in 2009 Human Development Index

Monrovia, Liberia – October 7, 2009: The Deputy Special Representative of United Nations Secretary General for Recovery and Governance and UN Resident Coordinator in Liberia Mr. Moustapha Soumare says the appearance of Liberia in the 2009 Global Human Development Index clearly indicates the progress the country is making in re-building a credible data system.

Speaking at the launched of the 2009 Human Development Report in Monrovia on Tuesday, Mr. Soumare who is also UNDP Resident Representative commended the government for recognizing the importance of human development in national planning. He said, “the partnership between the government and development partners must be strengthened to achieve the goals of the poverty reduction strategy and the county development agenda initiatives”.

Touching on the theme of the report: Overcoming Barriers –Human mobility and development, Mr. Soumare said national and local policies play a critical role in enabling better human development outcomes for those who move to better their circumstances and for those force to relocate due to conflict and environmental degradation.

He suggested that “the findings from the report be subjected to further debate, bringing key stakeholders, including youth, employer associations, chamber of commerce, civil society organizations as well as local leaders together”. He assured that the United Nations family remains committed to advancing this dialogue to enhance human development in partnership with the government and people of Liberia.

Acting Planning and Economic Affair Minister Sebastian Muah, who officially launched the report on behalf of the Government, welcome Liberia’s ranking in the report for the first time. He said even though Liberia is ranked at 169 among 182 countries in the human development index, the government remains committed to developing a credible statistical system that will reflect the basic socio and economic development in the country.

He said the government remains open and committed to change and development noting that the existing relationship with key development partners will be use to change the dynamics about development in Liberia.

Speaking on the legal regime of migration, the Minister of Justice Christiana Tah said the government has begun to revise the alien and nationality laws of Liberia to reflect the current political, social and economic realities and to ensure that peace and security is maintain.

She said one challenge the Ministry of Justice faces is the lack of trained security personnel to man the porous border points and this has made the country vulnerable to transnational drug and human trafficking. She concluded that the government attaches great significance to security for all Liberians and foreign resident as a major component of the poverty reduction strategy.