On The Sidelines of the Generation Equality Forum: Pres. Weah Lobbies With Pres. Macron, Clinton, Others

President George M. Weah and entourage departed Liberia early Monday to attend the Generation Equality Forum, a major global infection point for gender equality, in Paris, France. The forum, which is expected to conclude on Friday, July 2, 2021, has brought together governments, corporations and change-makers from around the world to define and announce ambitious investments and policies.

    The forum is convened by UN Women and co-chaired by France and Mexico, in partnership with civil society and youth groups. The Forum first kicked off in Mexico City from March 29—31, 2021 and is now culminating in Paris from June 30—July 2, 2021.

   Even though President Weah has not mounted the podium of the global forum, the Liberian delegation is said to be making effort in putting forth the interest of the nation on their sideline agendas with world leaders.

   Before the forum was convened yesterday, it was perceived by critics of the Weah administration that the trip to France was a wasted time, energy and resources, as the forum would allegedly be held virtually, with no real human gathering. Critics also pre-empted that, due to the level four travel alert placed on Liberia by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for the upsurge of the coronavirus, the Liberian delegation would be isolated, as no one would want to get in contact with anyone from Liberia at this time.

   However, the Liberian delegation in Paris has proved critics wrong by making their way through with world change-makers and making the case for possible intervention on behalf of Liberia. The critics also misinformed the public about the forum being held virtually, as a little follow-up on the Generation Equality Forum’s website could have saved the argument.

   While in France and on the sidelines of the forum, President Weah has met with a number of world leaders, including former US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, and French President, Emmanuel Macron.   

   With the help of the French Foreign Minister and the French Ambassador accredited to Monrovia, Michael Roux, and with President Weah’s lobbying endeavor while in Paris, Liberia is expected to benefit from a huge consignment of needed COVID-19 materials, which the French government has made available.

   The donated COVID-19 items weigh about 1,172kg and 7.8 M3 (test 1,120kg and 7.8 M3 +Osiris respirators and consumables, 52kg, etc). If possible, according to an informed source in the corridors of state power, the President will bring the much-needed emergency items on board of his charter flight.

   According to the source, the items donated by the French government to the Liberian government include 40,000 (forty thousand) antigenic tests (Abbott-Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device) with several months of validity, and 4-Osiris3 transport respirators (with reserves of consumables for Osiris3).

   The items mentioned supra will be effective in the fight against the third wave of the COVID-19. According to the Hot Pepper source, the donated items worth over US$1 million.

   As the Liberian delegation’s interaction with world leaders continues in France, it is expected that Liberia may benefit from additional intervention.