His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic, awarded His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Grand Collar of the Order of Camões (Grande Colar da Ordem de Camões), the highest sovereign cultural order in Portugal. His Highness is the first Arab figure to receive the Order of Camões and the sixth recipient worldwide. The honour was conferred during a ceremony hosted by the Portuguese President at the Presidential Palace in Lisbon. In his keynote address, President of Portugal said the visit of Sharjah Ruler reflects the historical bonds of friendship between the two countries. In his address, Sharjah Ruler expressed his happiness at the honour and its cultural significance, describing it as a meaningful recognition from a nation distinguished by its cultural heritage.

Prominent African policymakers and leaders will gather over the weekend in Kigali, Rwanda, to launch Leadership Lab Yetu (Yetu). This pan-African hub aims to bridge the gap between emerging and established leaders, providing the skills, values, and networks necessary to unlock Africa’s demographic potential and foster intergenerational collaboration. “The African leaders that emerge in the next 10 years will be the architects of the world’s evolution over the course of the next 100 years,” said Monica Geingos, Founder and Co-Chair of Leadership Lab Yetu and Former First Lady of Namibia. Driving Impact through Research and ActionThrough its flagship fellowship program and policy labs, Yetu allows leaders to co-create and test innovative solutions. Rumbidzai Chisenga, CEO of Leadership Lab Yetu, noted: “Our mission is to strengthen institutional capacity by equipping leaders with policy insights needed to steer the future with integrity and agility”.

Over the last decade, African inputs into the EU have grown by 27%, while manufacturing inputs have surged by an impressive 75%. A cornerstone of this renewed partnership is the focus on Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The European Union is currently collaborating with the United States, France, and Germany to build a robust TVET infrastructure across Liberia. Beyond economics, Ambassador Deprez addressed the existential threat of climate change, noting that Liberia is among the world’s most vulnerable nations. The EU plans to support comprehensive agricultural reforms and sustainability initiatives to protect local communities and manage natural resources responsibly.

By Kaipee Luther NewrayThe Center for National Documents and Records Agency (CNDRA) has honored three of its employees with a token of appreciation for their dedication and outstanding performances in 2025. Those honored are Mr. John Zubah, Ma-Winifred Kermue, and Mr. Momo Jones, all cleaners from the Maintenance Department of the agency. Gabriel N. Domah said the recognition came as a result of their dedication, outstanding services, diligence, self-control, and consideration for their coworkers’. Mr. Jones noted that the award came as a surprise, something he said will go a long way for them and their families. The Center for National Documents and Records Agency (CNDRA), established in 1977 as an autonomous bureau, provides statutory marriage certificates and acts as the National Central Repository for government records.

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This capital injection is set to underpin the 2026 national budget and fundamentally link Liberia’s fiscal future to one of the most ambitious iron ore expansions on the African continent. It integrates Liberia into a $3 billion industrial expansion that is already reshaping the nation’s rail corridors, port infrastructure, and mining capacity. At the heart of this growth is a $1.8 billion iron ore concentrator plant commissioned in June 2025 in Tokadeh, Nimba County. As one of Africa’s largest beneficiation facilities, the plant is designed to quadruple Liberia’s iron ore output from 5 million metric tons annually to 20 million. Community Development Funds will rise from $3 million to $8 million annually, and ArcelorMittal is now mandated to maintain critical road networks across Bong, Grand Bassa, and Nimba counties.

MONROVIA — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has issued a proclamation declaring Monday, February 2, 2026, as World Wetlands Day, to be observed throughout the Republic as a working holiday. This declaration reaffirms Liberia’s longstanding commitment to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, an intergovernmental treaty adopted in Ramsar, Iran, on February 2, 1971. According to a release from the Foreign Ministry, the observance constitutes a global effort, initiated in 1997, to draw urgent national and international attention to the vital role wetlands play in sustaining both human livelihoods and broader ecosystems. Furthermore, wetlands act as natural shields for coastlines, serve as buffers against flooding, and store carbon, playing a critical role in global climate regulation. As a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention, Liberia will commemorate World Wetlands Day 2026 under the theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage.” The official national program is scheduled to take place on SKD Boulevard, near the John Gbesay Resort.

The discussions centered on key multilateral and bilateral priorities, including Liberia’s role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, cooperation on economic diplomacy, and migration-related issues. Both sides exchanged views on strengthening coordination at the United Nations and advancing shared approaches to peace and security, regional stability, and effective multilateralism. The meeting also explored prospects for deepening U.S.–Liberia economic cooperation and ways to expand the pending United States–Liberia Partnership Dialogue. Emphasis was placed on leveraging Liberia’s leadership role within the Mano River Union to promote regional integration, trade, and collective responses to shared economic and security challenges. The Minister was accompanied by Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia to the United States.

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