ActionAid International Secretary General Deepens Engagement with UN Agencies and INGOs to Advance Collaborative Action in Liberia

Monrovia, Liberia – June 17, 2026 – As part of his official visit to Liberia, ActionAid International Secretary General, Arthur Larok, on Wednesday convened a high-level dialogue with United Nations agencies and leaders of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) to strengthen partnerships, reflect on shared development challenges, and explore collaborative solutions for advancing sustainable development and social justice in Liberia.

The meeting forms part of Mr. Larok’s working visit to Liberia, aimed at assessing ActionAid Liberia’s impact, engaging key stakeholders, and reinforcing partnerships that are critical to addressing the country's development priorities amid a rapidly changing global aid landscape.

Opening the discussion, Mr. Larok provided an overview of ActionAid’s global work and highlighted the purpose of his visit. He underscored the urgent challenges facing civil society organizations worldwide, including shrinking donor support, growing inequality, climate change, rising humanitarian needs, and increasing pressure on development financing.

He emphasized that in the face of these challenges, stronger collaboration among civil society organizations, development partners, governments, and communities is essential to sustaining progress and ensuring that the voices of marginalized people remain at the center of development efforts.

Participants welcomed ActionAid’s continued commitment to advocacy, community-centered development, and movement-building at both national and global levels.

Speaking during the meeting, Glynnis Cummings-John, Country Director of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), noted that collaboration has become increasingly important as organizations navigate a shrinking donor environment.

“One of the things that has helped us continue our work despite declining donor resources is collaboration,” she said. “Organizations have found ways to share resources, including office spaces, and leverage greater impact by working together rather than duplicating efforts.”

She highlighted CRS’s ongoing collaboration with Liberia’s Ministry of Health to strengthen nutrition services for women, children, and vulnerable populations and stressed the importance of maintaining partnerships among organizations that remain committed to Liberia’s development.

“While some organizations have left Liberia, those of us who remain continue to collaborate because we know that together we can achieve more,” she added.

Representing the United Nations Resident Coordinator, H.E. Christine N. Umutoni commended ActionAid for its strong global advocacy and its efforts to amplify issues affecting vulnerable communities.

“It is encouraging to see international NGOs advocating on global issues,” she said. “This is an area where the United Nations and civil society must continue to work together—building alliances, engaging lobbying groups, and speaking with one voice to influence change.”

She emphasized that development actors must continue to ask difficult questions about poverty, inequality, and sustainability while remaining focused on community-driven solutions.

“Working with people in communities is where the real work happens,” she noted. “We must reflect on why poverty persists and how we can mobilize resources differently. Development cannot depend on external aid forever. Collaboration, harmonization, and human-centered development are critical if we are to achieve lasting impact.”

The conversation also focused on the implications of global funding cuts and the need for innovative approaches to sustaining development gains.

Dr. Mady Biaye, Resident Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), acknowledged the growing pressures facing development organizations globally and stressed the importance of ensuring that available resources directly benefit communities.

“Every organization is facing challenges, and we must learn from them,” Dr. Biaye said. “Even if UNFPA has only one cent, our focus is to ensure that it reaches the communities that need it most.”

He identified gender-based violence, youth empowerment, HIV and AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, and family planning as critical issues requiring continued attention and investment in Liberia.

“With ongoing funding cuts, the consequences can be severe. Stockouts of essential health commodities have enormous implications for women and communities. This is the reality we are facing, which is why community-centered approaches are more important than ever,” he said.

Dr. Biaye also expressed interest in strengthening collaboration with ActionAid Liberia, particularly on climate justice, gender equality, and advocacy initiatives aimed at addressing emerging development challenges.

Similarly, Cllr. Yah Parwon, Country Director of Medica Liberia, praised ActionAid Liberia for its longstanding leadership within Liberia’s women's rights movement and broader civil society space.

“I appreciate ActionAid’s role in advancing women’s rights and leading difficult conversations that many organizations have benefited from,” she said.

She noted that despite increasing pressure on funding for feminist and rights-based organizations, ActionAid has remained a strong voice for gender justice and social transformation.

“ActionAid Liberia should not lose sight of that leadership. Reproductive rights are under attack, feminist movements are under pressure, and these are areas where ActionAid has demonstrated tremendous strength. The organization must continue to lead and ensure that the gains achieved over the years are protected and advanced,” she emphasized.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment among participants to deepen collaboration, strengthen advocacy efforts, and identify new opportunities for collective action in addressing Liberia’s development challenges.

As global development financing continues to contract and humanitarian needs increase, the discussions reaffirmed the importance of partnerships, community-led development, and coordinated advocacy in building a more just, resilient, and sustainable future for Liberia.

Arthur Larok’s visit continues through June 19 and includes engagements with government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, ActionAid Liberia staff, and community members across the country.