Prime Minister Trudeau concludes visit to Liberia
Monrovia, Liberia
November 24, 2016
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded his first official visit to Liberia. The visit will help Canada meet several of its top foreign policy objectives: empowering women and girls, promoting human rights, re-engaging with Africa, and addressing the pressing challenges facing the continent.
In Monrovia, Prime Minister Trudeau met with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to discuss issues of mutual interest, including peace and security, gender equality, and economic growth which benefits all Liberians, particularly youth.
The Prime Minister and President Johnson Sirleaf met with prominent women leaders, including Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, Mahawa Kaba Wheeler, Director for Women, Gender and Development with the African Union, Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, local community activists and youth. Prime Minister Trudeau underscored Canada’s commitment to empowering women and girls, recognizing gender equality as being essential to sustainable development and inclusive peace.
The Prime Minister also visited a local school where he saw first-hand how Canadian development assistance and Canadian partners are playing a key role in education, and in helping young Liberians gain the skills needed to participate more fully in society.
During his official visit, the Prime Minister announced over $12.5 million in new initiatives aimed at supporting democracy, peace and security, inclusion, and gender equality in Africa.
The Prime Minister will now travel to Madagascar where he will participate in the Summit of La Francophonie.
