The Government of Liberia, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), convened the Core Technical Committee (CTC) Establishment and Inception Workshop to support the updating of Liberia’s Development Finance Assessment (DFA) and the development of a Financing Strategy for Sustainable and Inclusive Development. 

The workshop marked an important step in strengthening Liberia’s financing architecture and accelerating progress toward national development priorities. 

Held at the Ministry of Finance on August 14, 2026 and bringing together representatives from key government institutions, development partners, the private sector, academia, civil society, and the United Nations system, the Deputy Minister of Finance for Economic Management, Dehpue Zuo, officially launched the CTC which will provide technical guidance and oversight throughout the process of updating the DFA and developing an implementation-oriented financing strategy.

The initiative is being led by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) with support from UNDP as part of Liberia’s efforts to strengthen the alignment, mobilization, and management of public and private financing for sustainable development.

The updated DFA will serve as the evidence base for a comprehensive Financing Strategy that supports the country’s long-term development ambitions and contributes to the advancement of an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF).

Delivering the opening remarks at the workshop, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr. Louis Kuukpen noted that the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) “provides a holistic framework that helps countries align financing policies and resources with national development priorities.”

Kuukpen further stated that the advantage of the INFF is its ability to strengthen coordination among government institutions, development partners, financial institutions, and other stakeholders. He emphasized that development financing is most effective when all actors work toward shared national priorities.

Also speaking at the workshop, the Technical Focal Person in the office of the Deputy Minister for Economic Management at the MFDP, Mr. Sunday Heagbetus, underscored the importance of strong institutional coordination and national ownership in addressing financing challenges and unlocking new opportunities for sustainable and inclusive growth. 

The workshop was facilitated by the Lead Expert Dr. Peter Middlebrook who shared insights with participants on how they will need to work to move from DFA to Financing Strategy. 

Middlebrook’s core assignment is to guide Liberia on institutionalization of the DFA. He presented to them among others, the methodology and four phases of implementation as well as the transition from funding to financing.       

Participants underscored the need for a collaborative approach that brings together government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, and other stakeholders around a shared vision for development financing. 

The workshop provided an opportunity for participants to review the overall methodology, implementation roadmap, and governance arrangements for the assignment. Discussions focused on the role of the CTC, the terms of reference for its operations, stakeholder engagement mechanisms, and priority actions required to commence the analytical phase of the Development Finance Assessment. 

During the session, participants reached broad agreement on the establishment and composition of the CTC, its working arrangements, and the phased approach that will guide the assessment and financing strategy process. 

The Committee will serve as the principal technical reference group, supporting evidence-based analysis, facilitating access to data and information, and promoting coordination across institutions involved in Liberia’s development financing ecosystem. 

The updated DFA will examine the full spectrum of financing sources available to Liberia, including public, private, domestic, international, climate, and innovative finance.

Findings from the assessment will inform the development of a practical Financing Strategy designed to help mobilize and align resources toward national priorities while strengthening financing effectiveness and accountability. 

Participants also identified immediate priorities for implementation, including data collection, stakeholder consultations, institutional focal point engagement, and technical coordination mechanisms. 

These actions will support the next phase of analytical work and ensure an inclusive process that reflects the perspectives of a broad range of stakeholders. 

The workshop concluded with a clear commitment from participating institutions to work collectively in advancing financing solutions that support Liberia’s sustainable and inclusive development aspirations. 

Through the establishment of the CTC and the forthcoming DFA and Financing Strategy, Liberia is taking an important step toward strengthening its capacity to finance development outcomes and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.