Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the Peacebuilding Commission Ambassadorial-level meeting on the Liberia Configuration

Thank you very much, Madame Chair, honourable Ministers, Assistant Secretary General, Excellencies,

I would like to thank the Permanent Representative of Sweden, I want to thank you first, for convening the Liberia Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission at this important time for Liberia and I want to welcome the ministers, the representatives of the government, representatives of Liberian parliament and civil society in the room.

International community, with the Peacebuilding Commission in the centre, continues to play a vital role in supporting Liberia’s efforts to consolidate peace and strengthen democracy. I would like to offer three key messages for today’s discussion:

First, we want to underscore the importance of sharing Liberia’s story in global fora. Liberia is a country that bears the sobering legacy of civil war, but it also offers a powerful example of peace restored, with critical support from the United Nations. We welcome minister’s offer to share lessons learnt and the path to peace. As minister is aware, the United Nations is undergoing the process of reviewing the peacebuilding architecture as well as reviewing the way we will do peacekeeping in the future. So your contributions, Liberia’s contributions, will be most welcome. We agree with the minister, Liberia has come a long way. And today, Liberia stands on the threshold of joining the UN Security Council as an elected member. And I take this opportunity to extend our best wishes to Liberia in the final days of the campaign before the elections next week.

Second, we welcome the significant progress Liberia has made in the field of transitional justice. Building on the successful general elections in 2023, the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court marks an important milestone.

The President’s executive order creating the Office of the War Crimes Court – mandated to investigate and prosecute crimes committed during Liberia’s civil wars between 1989 and 2003 – is another vital step toward justice, accountability, and national reconciliation.

Adequate resourcing is of vital importance to accelerate the full establishment of the Court and for the success of these institutions.

And finally, on women, peace and security – a central piece in today’s discussion.

As we have heard from the briefers, women have played and continue to play a pivotal role in Liberia’s peace and reconciliation efforts. Their leadership was instrumental in the creation of the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace movement, and their tireless activism helped bring about the 2003 Accra Peace Agreement.

I was deeply inspired by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf when she spoke at the Security Council’s Open Debate on Leadership for Peace, held under Slovenia’s presidency in September of last year. She delivered a compelling message on the critical importance of women’s representation in international institutions, national parliaments, communities, and in defence and security establishments. I was happy to hear today that we have a women minister of defence in Liberia. Slovenia continues to advocate for the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all peace and security efforts.

We welcome Liberia’s efforts in implementing the WPS Agenda, including by strengthening women’s economic empowerment and through gender mainstreaming within public sector.

We acknowledge Liberia’s announcement of its plans to extend National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. This initiative underscores Liberia’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and ensuring women’s meaningful participation in peace and security efforts. It presents a valuable opportunity to accelerate the implementation of the WPS Agenda and build towards a new national action plan.

Madame Chair,

Slovenia stands ready to support Liberia’s peacebuilding and sustaining peace efforts, through the programmes of the Peacebuilding Fund, the European Union and bilaterally.

Thank you.

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