Monrovia, Liberia - President George Manneh Weah has received in audience Ambassador Olof Skoog, Swedish Permanent Representative to the UN and Chairman of the UN Peacebuilding Commission in Liberia and delegation at his Foreign Affairs’ office on Thursday, March 22, 2018. He informed the UN Envoy of his commitment to taking peace serious as well as sustaining it.

The Liberian leader commended the delegation for their efforts in sustaining the peace in Liberia and assured them of government’s commitment towards continued peace and reconciliation. President Weah applauded the Swedish Envoy and the government of Sweden for their role in strengthening Liberia’s democracy and peace. He however reaffirmed his determination to youth development, women empowerment and the issues of land rights; as these are the three cardinal points of the UN Peacebuilding initiative. “I take peace very serious. We must do everything to ensure we sustain the peace,” he said.

For his part, Ambassador Olof Skoog congratulated President Weah on his ascendency to the presidency and said he was impressed with the President’s soccer career. He said he was a great fan of the President and was proud of the joy he brought to many faces during his soccer days.

Ambassador Skoog said the purpose of the visit was to form partnership with the Government of Liberia in ensuring that reoccurrence of the issues that could bring Liberia back to chaos are avoided. He pledged his support for the promotion of youth development and women empowerment. He also acknowledged that the future looks very bright for Liberia and that foreign investors are willing to come in but the government must do all they can to protect the rights of their people and their natural resources.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the UN Peacebuilding Commission on Liberia applauded the President for reaffirming his commitment for peacebuilding and underscored the need for justice and reconciliation, one of the key components of the Pro- Poor agenda.

In attendance were Mr. Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, United Nation Assistant Secretary General for Peace-building Support and a host of Liberian government officials including Amb. Lewis Browne, Permanent Representative to the UN; Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe, Hon Varney Sirleaf, Minister of Internal Affairs; Minister Daniel Ziankahn, Hon. Nathaniel F. McGill, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, among others.