By Stephen N. Sonpon
MONROVIA, Oct. 18 (LINA) — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Liberia’s long-standing bilateral relations with the United States, with renewed emphasis on investment, commercial partnerships, public health, and security cooperation.
The Liberian leader made the commitment on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 when he received newly accredited U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Kristin Gilmore at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia during a courtesy visit focused on exploring opportunities to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
President Boakai assured the visiting American diplomat of his government’s continued commitment to maintaining peace and stability, creating an enabling environment for investment, and expanding bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of Liberia and the United States.
The meeting highlighted the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two countries, whose long-standing partnership encompasses democratic governance, economic development, public health, and international security.
During the engagement, both sides highlighted opportunities to strengthen economic ties, encourage private-sector participation, attract American investors, and advance Liberia’s development priorities under the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
Chargé d’Affaires Gilmore, who was accompanied by newly appointed Deputy Chief of Mission Rob Ruta and Political and Economic Section representatives Stephanie Miller and Julianne Cooper, expressed enthusiasm about returning to Liberia, where she previously served from 2007 to 2009.
She commended Liberia’s progress in democratic governance and its growing contribution to international affairs, describing the country’s development and standing on the global stage as impressive.
“It really is an honor and a privilege to come back and to see how far Liberia has come in terms of democratic governance and also Liberia’s role on the world stage. It’s very impressive,” Gilmore told President Boakai.
The American diplomat also recounted a personal family connection to Liberia dating back to the 1960s. She disclosed that her mother received her First Communion from Bishop Dilworth Houston Brown, then the Episcopal Bishop of Liberia, while in California.
According to Gilmore, her mother recently shared the story with her by showing her a prayer book documenting the historical connection.
“My mom, just before I came this time, took out her prayer book and showed me that the Episcopal Bishop to Liberia had been the one to administer her first communion to her,” she recounted.
Gilmore described her return to Liberia as both a professional opportunity and a privilege, expressing her commitment to working with the Liberian Government to deepen the partnership between the two countries.
“It’s really a privilege to be back in Liberia and to work with Liberia to continue to deepen the partnership between our two countries,” she said.
On economic cooperation, Gilmore emphasized the importance of identifying new commercial opportunities and encouraging American businesses to invest in Liberia.
She expressed interest in exploring areas where U.S. companies could contribute to Liberia’s development priorities while establishing mutually beneficial partnerships with the Liberian private sector.
Gilmore specifically cited the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development as a framework through which American businesses could participate in Liberia’s economic transformation and expand commercial engagement between the two countries.
“I’m very excited at the prospect of seeking out new commercial opportunities, to look for U.S. investment, to look for U.S. companies to come to Liberia to participate in your ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, aimed at deepening our economic collaboration together,” she stated.
Her remarks underscored the potential for increased American private-sector engagement in Liberia, particularly through investments that could support economic growth, create business opportunities, and advance the government’s development objectives.
Beyond trade and investment, Gilmore identified public health as another important area for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
She also highlighted opportunities to build stronger partnerships between Liberian and American teams and institutions to expand collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
The diplomat disclosed that she had already discussed aspects of the proposed cooperation with Foreign Affairs Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti.
The discussions reflect the broader scope of Liberia-U.S. relations, which offer opportunities for collaboration in economic development, institutional capacity-building, public health, and national security.
Meanwhile, senior Liberian Government officials who attended the meeting included Foreign Affairs Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti; Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Samuel A. Stevquoah; National Security Advisor Samuel K. Woods II; and Director General of the Cabinet Nathaniel Kwabo.
Liberia and the United States maintain long-standing diplomatic relations and continue to explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation in support of shared development priorities and regional and international stability.