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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has reaffirmed his country’s strong commitment to transforming its food systems into sustainable and inclusive ones during his address at the United Nations Food Systems Summit +4 (UNFSS+4), taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from July 27 to 29, 2025.
Speaking on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the people of Liberia, Vice President Koung lauded Ethiopia and Italy for co-hosting the global summit and creating a platform for countries to evaluate progress and reinvigorate efforts toward achieving resilient food systems worldwide.
“Four years after the inaugural United Nations Food Systems Summit, we convene once more to assess progress, recalibrate our strategies, and accelerate our collective journey toward sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems,” Vice President Koung stated.
He emphasized that for Liberia, food systems are not just agricultural processes but crucial foundations for peace, equity, and national resilience.
Vice President Koung outlined Liberia’s National Pathway for Food Systems Transformation as a holistic strategy aimed at addressing the country’s most pressing food security challenges. At the heart of this approach is a commitment to nutrition-sensitive agriculture, which prioritizes reducing stunting and malnutrition among the nation’s most vulnerable populations. Recognizing the growing threats posed by climate change, the strategy also promotes climate-smart agricultural practices, developed in close collaboration with local farmers and cooperatives to ensure resilience and adaptability.
Equally important is the establishment of inclusive governance frameworks that ensure the meaningful participation of youth, women, and traditionally marginalized communities in every stage of food systems planning and implementation. Together, these three pillars form the foundation of Liberia’s pursuit of a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient food system.
“These priorities are aimed at not only increasing productivity but ensuring that our food systems serve the needs of all Liberians—especially those historically left behind,” the vice president emphasized.
In a frank reflection on the global food systems agenda, Vice President Koung called on delegates to measure success not only by numbers but by the level of impact on communities most affected by hunger and poverty.
“We must honestly ask ourselves: Are our actions effectively addressing the hunger that breeds despair? Are our systems reaching the communities where policy has historically fallen short?” he questioned.
The Liberian Vice President emphasized the importance of enhanced regional collaboration and reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), as well as the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He also drew a critical link between food security and peacebuilding, asserting that sustainable food systems are vital for stabilizing conflict-affected and fragile states like Liberia.
At the forum, Liberia pledged continued support for the United Nations food systems agenda, underscoring that declarations must be matched by transformative action.
“We want to remember the United Nations Food System Summit not just for its declarations, but for its role in mobilizing transformative actions for food security,” he declared. “Let us invest not only in agricultural yields, but also in sustainability, human dignity, resilience, and lasting transformation for future generations.”
Concluding his statement, Vice President Koung called on all delegates to let the spirit of unity and shared purpose guide the summit’s deliberations toward tangible, impactful outcomes.
The UNFSS+4 Summit in Addis Ababa brings together world leaders, policymakers, civil society organizations, and private sector actors to assess progress made since the landmark 2021 Food Systems Summit and chart a path forward toward global food security and sustainability.
