Statement at the Liberia Poverty Reduction Forum

Statement from Norway’s head of delegation, State Secretary Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen at the Liberia Poverty Reduction Forum in Berlin.

President,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me, on behalf of the Government of Norway, to be here today and to meet distinguished members of the Government of the Republic of Liberia. Special greetings to you Madam President, from Norway’s Minister of Environment and International Development, Mr Erik Solheim, who has had the honour and pleasure of meeting you on a number of occasions. I would also like to extend thanks to the government of the Federal Republic of Germany and to Minister Heidimarie (Wieczorek-Zeul) for hosting this forum.

First of all, let me congratulate you, Madam President, on having reached the important benchmark of a full PRS. As you underscored, the process has been an inclusive one, and the document is truly "home grown", in the best sense of the word! 

In 2006, Norway decided to make Liberia a partner in development cooperation beyond short-term humanitarian assistance efforts. The Norwegian engagement started in the energy and security sectors, with the Emergency Power Programme for Monrovia, and capacity building of Liberia’s National Police.

A great deal has already been achieved in both these programmes. The emergency power programme will be completed next month. But of course there are needs that go beyond the emergency phase, and needs in parts of the country outside Monrovia.

Another important intervention is in the security sector, including the fight against gender based violence. Norway has funded Women and Children Protection Units attached to 10 county police stations, and Liberian police officers, both male and female, are being trained to deal with abuse cases.

We also support social services through the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), which is engaged in the Liberian Government’s Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP), and through the Clinton Foundation, for HIV/AIDS treatment and care.  Another cooperating partner is the Center for Transitional Justice, which works with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Another Norwegian supported project in Liberia is the Millennium Village in Kokoyah District – a five-year commitment – and a multi-sectorial programme.

Good governance and the rule of law is one of the pillars in Liberia’s PRS. This, including the fight against corruption, is high on my government’s agenda, and Norway is ready to support you in this important area. Civil society may also be a partner here.

You have many friends who want to support you in rebuilding the country. However, new challenges arise when many donors are active in a country. We would welcome a division of labour between the donors and joint financing mechanisms to enhance efficiency. It is vital that Liberia takes the lead here and directs focus to where it is most needed. Co-ordination is key, and we support US Aid and Henrietta Fore’s idea of a joint visit to Liberia by development ministers, some time later this year.

Liberia, once a shining example to others on the continent, is still among the world's poorest nations. But it need not be so, as it has many resources.

In Liberia, as elsewhere, poverty has – to a large extent – a female face, and as Minister Heidimarie pointed out, the empowerment of women is vital.  We endorse that gender equity is an important cross-cutting issue in your PRS, along with Peacebuilding, Environmental Issues, HIV and AIDS, Children and Youth. This of course means that these aspects should be given due consideration in all programmes and projects. That is a challenge for all of us.

I am also happy to mention that Norway has contributed significantly to the clearance of Liberia's debts this year. Norway will go beyond what was negotiated in the Paris Club, and we will of course cancel all bilateral debt after HIPC completion point is reached. I can inform you that, at the request of the Liberian government, we have decided to contribute 5 million USD to the International Development Association’s planned Debt Reduction facility for the buyback of Liberia’s 1, 6 billion private debts.

As pointed out by the president, it is the perseverance of the Liberian people that can bring about sustainable, long term development, and the main responsibility lays with them and with the Government of Liberia.  But we are here to support you.

Thank you.