The Liberian government has begun a comprehensive review of its migration governance framework as part of preparations for the International Migration Review Forum scheduled for May 2026.
The review took centre stage at a national workshop held in Monrovia, which brought together government officials, civil society organisations and international partners to conduct a voluntary national assessment of Liberia’s implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), adopted in 2018.
Speaking at the workshop, the Deputy Minister of Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jeddi Mowbray Armah, described migration governance as a national priority, noting that sustained support from development partners has strengthened institutional capacity, improved inter-agency coordination and promoted evidence-based policymaking for Liberians at home and abroad.
Since the end of its civil wars in 2003, Liberia has focused on rebuilding migration systems shaped by significant cross-border movement and a large diaspora population across West Africa, Europe and North America. In recent years, the country has increasingly leveraged diaspora engagement as a development tool, while addressing migrant return and reintegration and strengthening cooperation with neighbouring countries, including Sierra Leone, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, under regional frameworks such as the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The workshop followed a capacity-building training organised in July 2025 by the United Nations Network on Migration, which attracted broad participation from ministries and public institutions.
Also speaking, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission to Liberia ad interim, Mr. Dongyuk Park, said effective migration governance depends on robust policies and institutions. He noted that IOM is supporting Liberia to translate global migration commitments into tangible benefits for communities and citizens.
The European Union, which is supporting Liberia’s voluntary national review through the GCM Demand-driven Facility, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening migration governance in the country. EU Ambassador to Liberia, Ms. Nona Deprez, said the EU and its member states remain actively engaged in advancing the objectives of the Global Compact for Migration, including reducing irregular migration, enhancing international cooperation and supporting sustainable reintegration.
She added that the EU is providing financial assistance and targeted technical support through IOM and the UN Network on Migration to improve coordination and institutional capacity.
Liberia is expected to submit its voluntary national GCM review as part of preparations for its participation in the International Migration Review Forum, which serves as a global platform for assessing progress on the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration later this year.
