The Ambassador to France-designate, Dr. Teeko T. Yorlay, has vowed to ensure Liberia benefits from the France official development assistance package if confirmed by the Liberia Senate. Yorlay gave the assurance to members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Friday, November 22, 2024 on Capitol Hill when he appeared before them during his confirmation.
“Chairman and members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, I will pursue and ensure the creation of collaborative networks that facilitate trade, investment, cultural exchange, mutual support and work to show improved and impressive results, including meeting new challenges through quality diplomatic services that will place Liberia in an enviable and admirable place within the family of countries represented in Paris if confirmed,” he assured.
Dr. Yorlay told the committee during the confirmation hearing that the French government plans to increase its official development assistance (ODA) to 0.7% of its gross national income (GNI) by 2025 to support African countries, especially as they transition to more sustainable growth models. According to him, dividends from the development assistance are expected to be visible through interventions aimed at addressing the effects of climate change, supporting healthcare service delivery, and prioritizing gender equality, entrepreneurship, and infrastructural development.
He maintained that the French government also intends to ensure that monetary, academic, and scientific cooperation is emphasized. “In this light, if confirmed, I intend to explore creative means through which Liberia attracts its share of France’s official development assistance (ODA) annually,” he said.
Additionally, Dr. Yorlay vowed to commit to work, among other things, in fulfillment of the “Agreement for the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments” signed between the government and Paris on March 23, 1979 and the “Tax Information Exchange Agreement” signed by both governments on January 6, 2011.
“Honorable Chairman and members of the Honorable Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, if confirmed I will have jurisdiction over the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). I intend to trumpet and parrot the need for more investments in teachers’ training, gender equality, youth development and empowerment, and tourism, among others, while focusing on representing and safeguarding Liberia’s interests in multilateral fora at UNESCO. I commit to impactfully participate in negotiations, advocating for national priorities, fostering mutually beneficial diplomatic relationships, and contributing to the advancement of global peace, security, development, and human rights.”
He said under his leadership, and with Liberia on the Executive Board as the fifty-eighth (58th) member, he intends to ensure that the Permanent Delegation of Liberia to UNESCO remains a consequential member of the organization and “multilaterally engages to ensure that our country continues to accrue the necessary dividends through the Ministry of Education; the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism; and the Ministry of Youth and Sports”.