Monrovia, Liberia – October 28, 2025:
Liberia has officially regained full membership in the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), ending more than 13 years of inactivity and reaffirming the country’s commitment to reestablishing its leadership role in global tourism.
The reinstatement follows two weeks of sustained diplomatic engagement led by the newly established Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA), under the leadership of Director General-designate Princess Eva Cooper and Deputy Director General-designate for Planning Atty. Dogba K. Norris.
According to an LNTA press release issued late Monday, October 27, 2025, the development is the result of deliberate efforts and visionary leadership under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., whose ARREST Agenda identifies tourism as a key driver of inclusive growth and national renewal.
The statement further quotes the LNTA as saying that President Boakai’s administration has made revitalizing the tourism sector a national priority. It added that earlier this year, he appointed Ambassador Christopher Hayes Onanuga as Presidential Special Envoy on Tourism, tasked with advancing the sector in close collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT). The government also enacted the Liberia National Tourism Authority Act of 2025, establishing the LNTA as the central coordinating body for tourism and the creative industries.
Liberia’s return to UN Tourism follows the submission of a proposed ten-year payment plan and high-level consultations with the organization’s secretariat. The reinstatement includes an exemption that allows Liberia to exercise full membership rights — including voting privileges — pending formal approval by the UN Tourism General Assembly.
In a statement, UN Tourism commended Liberia’s proactive approach and reaffirmed its support for the country’s renewed participation.
Liberia National Tourism Authority Director General-designate Princess Eva Cooper described the reinstatement as a “major milestone for Liberia’s tourism revival,” adding that it reflects President Boakai’s commitment to repositioning tourism as a key pillar of national development.
“Liberia’s story is one of renewal, resilience, and rediscovery,” she said.
Full membership grants Liberia access to UN Tourism programs, policy forums, and funding opportunities, as well as training, marketing, and development support. It also opens new avenues for international visibility, investment, and partnerships in the tourism sector.
With this reinstatement, Liberia will once again participate in the upcoming UN Tourism General Assembly, standing shoulder to shoulder with its global peers — awakening what officials call the nation’s “sleeping giant.”
