Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow-Nyanti
Following a landmark year for Liberian diplomacy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow-Nyanti, has rallied Liberian diplomats across the globe to rise to the demands of a historic new chapter in the nation’s foreign policy. Addressing diplomatic staff worldwide from Liberia’s Diplomatic Mission in Rabat, the Foreign Minister outlined a high-performance agenda for 2026, anchored on Liberia’s election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and a renewed focus on foreign service reform and economic diplomacy.
In her global briefing, Minister Nyanti expressed profound gratitude to members of the diplomatic corps for their collective achievements over the past year. She praised their dedication and professionalism, which contributed to Liberia’s successful election to the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term marking the country’s first-ever full mandate on the Council as well as the signing of the Host Country Agreement establishing the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Center in Liberia. The global meeting also provided an opportunity to formally welcome the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Minister Nyanti concluded the engagement with a call for stronger coordination between Liberia’s missions abroad and the Ministry’s Public Affairs Department, stressing that a unified, coherent, and strategic message is vital to amplifying Liberia’s voice on the global stage as the nation assumes its historic role on the United Nations Security Council. Describing the UNSC seat as both an honor and a solemn responsibility, the Foreign Minister emphasized that Liberia’s role on the Council transcends the Permanent Mission in New York. She underscored that every Liberian mission, regardless of location, now carries a global mandate to support the country’s work on the Security Council.
“With Liberia now seated on the world’s highest decision-making body for peace and security, our diplomacy must be sharper, faster, and more informed,” Minister Nyanti said. She directed all missions to provide real-time, evidence-based political, economic, and security analysis to help inform Liberia’s voting positions and policy stances at the United Nations. To symbolically and strategically mark this historic era, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a formal update to its official letterheads, which will now feature the United Nations Security Council logo. According to the Minister, this measure is intended to leverage Liberia’s elevated international standing and reinforce the country’s credibility in advancing national and regional interests.
Professionalism and institutional reform featured prominently in the Minister’s address. She reaffirmed the “Standard of Excellence” expected of all diplomats and reiterated the Ministry’s strict code of conduct. Particular emphasis was placed on professionalism and confidentiality, with clear warnings against the mishandling or disclosure of sensitive information. Diplomats were strongly cautioned against sharing official or sensitive content on personal social media platforms, with the Minister stressing a zero-tolerance policy for breaches. On foreign service reform, Minister Nyanti announced that the Ministry is developing a comprehensive 2026 reform roadmap.
This initiative will focus on strengthening operational effectiveness across missions, particularly those experiencing increased diplomatic and consular traffic. Planned measures include improving transportation logistics, enhancing working conditions, and providing staff insurance to ensure the welfare and efficiency of Foreign Service personnel. The Foreign Minister also addressed financial accountability, calling for stricter adherence to financial regulations. She urged an end to unauthorized expenditures and emphasized the timely remittance of all collected fees and payments, noting that financial discipline is essential to sustaining the credibility and effectiveness of Liberia’s diplomatic missions.
Pivoting to the economic dimension of foreign policy, Minister Nyanti declared that 2026 will mark a decisive shift toward Economic Diplomacy. “Our foreign policy must be felt at home,” she stated, instructing all missions to prioritize investment promotion, trade partnerships, and market access initiatives that translate directly into job creation and economic growth for the Liberian people. “Liberia’s seat on the Security Council is not just a seat at the table; it is a testament to the world’s trust in our progress,” the Minister said. “Every diplomat, from Monrovia to Tokyo, is now an essential part of our nation’s security and economic future. We must act with the precision, integrity, and urgency that this moment demands.”
