LRRRC Deputy Director Makes Case for Liberia at Global Refugee Forum Technical Meeting in Maputo

Friday, June 20, 2025

Mr. Joseph Boye Cooper, Deputy Executive Director for Protection at the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), is currently representing Liberia at the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) Technical Meeting, being held in Maputo, Mozambique. This high-level meeting convenes key stakeholders from across Africa and the international community to discuss progress and challenges in refugee protection, durable solutions, and regional cooperation ahead of the next Global Refugee Forum in 2026.

Mr. Cooper is using this important platform to present Liberia’s experiences, achievements, and priorities in refugee protection and integration, as well as to advocate for greater international support to strengthen national and regional response mechanisms. He is also highlighting Liberia's ongoing efforts to transition from emergency response to long-term development strategies for displaced populations, in line with the Global Compact on Refugees.

“Liberia knows what it means to host and be hosted,” Mr. Cooper said in his remarks to the plenary. “We have been both a country of asylum and one that has benefitted from the generosity of host nations. Our message here is simple: Liberia remains committed to protecting refugees, returnees, and other displaced populations, but we cannot do it alone.”

During the technical sessions, Mr. Cooper emphasized Liberia’s commitment to durable solutions, particularly through local integration, community development, and the inclusion of refugees and returnees in national systems such as health, education, and social protection. He also outlined key achievements made by the LRRRC, including the successful repatriation of Ivorian refugees, ongoing support for reintegration, and efforts to strengthen legal and policy frameworks aligned with international standards. The Maputo meeting offers an opportunity for countries to review pledges made at the 2019 and 2023 Global Refugee Forums and to share best practices ahead of the next GRF. Mr. Cooper is also engaging with technical experts, donors, and development partners to explore new opportunities for collaboration and investment in Liberia’s refugee and reintegration programs.

The LRRRC, as the lead agency for refugee matters in Liberia, continues to play a central role in coordinating national efforts on refugee protection, voluntary repatriation, and reintegration in partnership with UNHCR and other international organizations. Mr. Cooper’s participation reflects Liberia’s leadership role in regional and global conversations on displacement and is expected to further elevate the country’s profile as a committed partner in humanitarian and development efforts.