International Reconstruction Conference on Liberia
United Nations, New York City
February 5-6, 2004
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2004-004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2004
The International Reconstruction Conference on Liberia co-hosted by the United Nations, the World Bank, and the United States, in collaboration with the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), at the United Nations Headquarters, is an international effort to marshal support for Liberia's transition from conflict to recovery and reconstruction.
Attendees at the conference will include European Union member states and associate members, Japan, China, Korea, Mexico, Brazil, ECOWAS, troop contributors to Liberian peacekeeping missions, members of the International Contact Group on Liberia, other bilateral donors, and international institutions.
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in Accra, Ghana, in August 2003 offers an unprecedented opportunity to end a decades-long civil war in Liberia and to bring stability to that country and the West Africa region. The UN peacekeeping operation "UNMIL," which is to have up to 15,000 troops, will provide the critical security and an administrative framework to underpin the political transition and support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction for Liberia.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Callisto Madavo of the World Bank, along with NTGL Chairman Gyude Bryant will address the Conference. The co-hosts are expecting ministerial-level participation at the Conference and encouraging broad support for it, including donor pledges to fund Liberia's transition and reconstruction.
To secure international support for the two year transition process, the World Bank, the UN system, and other national and international stakeholders are working closely with the NTGL to conduct a comprehensive set of needs assessments and construct a Results-Focused Transition Framework for addressing them.
The Framework will incorporate specification of the priority outcomes to be pursued and the results to be achieved during this transition period. The framework will be the centerpiece of the consultations at the Conference.
The United States will commit $200 million toward the relief and reconstruction of Liberia. This will contribute significantly to the achievement of the specified priorities and results in the Framework.
The U.S. government, in close cooperation with the NTGL and other bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, intends to use the funds to provide immediate humanitarian assistance, underwrite community-based reintegration of former combatants, support for the displaced persons and refugees through national community revitalization program, facilitate the work of the transitional government, train a new police force and assist related elements of the judicial system, improve economic growth, reform the military and meet other priority needs such as preparations for elections, support for independent media, strengthening of civil society, and assistance in health, agriculture, education, and other key sectors.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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