MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS, UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR DISCUSS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS, UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR DISCUSS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the United Nations system in Liberia following a high-level meeting held on Wednesday, May 20, between Minister Atty. Cornelia W. Kruah and United Nations Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The meeting focused on deepening partnerships aimed at advancing youth development, sports empowerment, inclusion, and evidence-based policymaking across Liberia.
During the engagement, Minister Kruah outlined her vision to reposition the Ministry as the lead coordinating institution for all government youth-related initiatives. She noted that weak coordination among institutions has historically resulted in inefficiencies and duplication of efforts affecting young people nationwide. The Minister also briefed the Resident Coordinator on findings from her recent nationwide assessment tour of Liberia’s fifteen counties, conducted alongside ministry technicians. The tour evaluated youth and sports facilities and created opportunities for direct engagement with young people across the country.
Among the key concerns identified were major infrastructure and social service gaps, particularly the absence of drug rehabilitation centers throughout the southeastern region of Liberia. The Minister emphasized the urgent need for structured rehabilitation and psychosocial support systems for vulnerable youth. As part of ongoing reforms, the Ministry disclosed plans to reactivate thirty youth centers nationwide with government support for staffing and operations. The Ministry is also restructuring its county-level coordination system to ensure broader inclusion and more effective youth engagement.
For her part, Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni welcomed the Ministry’s reform agenda and embraced plans to strengthen the Ministry’s research and planning capacity through the establishment of a dedicated Research and Planning Unit. The proposed unit will focus on gathering reliable youth-centered data, conducting research, and supporting evidence-based policymaking to better address the needs and realities of young people across Liberia.
Discussions also highlighted the importance of developing an annual “State of the Youth” report that would provide critical data and analysis for policymakers, development partners, and national stakeholders. The Resident Coordinator noted that such a mechanism would not only strengthen national planning and coordination but also improve how the United Nations system and its partners design and support youth-focused interventions across the country.
The meeting further highlighted the need for stronger interagency coordination among government institutions and development partners working on youth-related issues. Discussions also stressed the importance of private sector participation in youth development initiatives beyond traditional corporate social responsibility programs.On technical and vocational education and training (TVET), the Minister underscored the Ministry’s commitment to aligning skills development programs with labor market demands to ensure young people acquire practical and marketable skills. She noted that the Ministry is already engaging partners, including the European Union, to strengthen strategic coordination in the sector.
The discussions also covered preparations for a major Youth, Peace and Security side event planned for the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September, during Liberia’s tenure as Chair of the United Nations Security Council. Both parties emphasized the importance of leveraging Liberia’s global platform to showcase the country’s peacebuilding gains and youth leadership initiatives.The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the United Nations system agreed to continue working closely to advance inclusive youth development, strengthen coordination mechanisms, and expand opportunities for young people across Liberia.
