NEW YORK, United States | Liberia and the United States held a high level maritime roundtable in New York on September 20, bringing together senior officials to discuss maritime security, economic cooperation and the importance of protecting sea routes that support international trade and global supply chains.
The closed door meeting was co chaired by Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and United States Ambassador to the United Nations Michael G. Waltz, who previously served as National Security Advisor to President Donald J. Trump.
The talks took place on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly and covered maritime security, fisheries, the blue economy and economic development opportunities of mutual interest to Liberia and the United States.
Liberia’s technical presentations were led by Liberia Maritime Authority Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer Neto Zarzar Lighe and National Security Advisor Samuel Kofi Woods.
The discussions also brought in private sector participants and representatives of maritime nations including Argentina and Panama, reflecting wider international interest in Liberia’s economic diplomacy and maritime agenda.
For Liberia, the meeting comes as the country seeks to use its position in the global maritime sector to advance economic interests, strengthen security partnerships and attract investment.
The Liberian delegation was led by Nyanti and included Woods, Lighe and Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Lewis G. Brown II.
The United States delegation was led by Waltz and included Frank Garcia, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs; Wesley R. Brooks, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs; and former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, alongside other senior officials.
The composition of the delegations brought together expertise covering African affairs, ocean and environmental policy, national security and maritime administration.
The talks therefore addressed both security and economic aspects of maritime cooperation, including the role of safe and reliable sea lanes in supporting international commerce.
Liberia’s maritime sector has a significant international profile, while the country is also seeking opportunities to develop fisheries and the wider blue economy as part of its economic agenda.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for Liberia and the United States to discuss practical areas of cooperation linked to shared economic and security interests.
The engagement forms part of Liberia’s wider diplomatic programme during the United Nations General Assembly, where the West African country is holding a series of high level meetings.
Liberia is serving a two year term on the United Nations Security Council covering 2026 and 2027. The country is scheduled to assume the presidency of the Council in December 2026, giving Monrovia an additional role in international discussions on peace, security and multilateral cooperation.
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