Nairobi, Kenya December 15, 2015: Liberia has been admitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the 35th member of the Least Developed Countries. The admission was effected Wednesday during the 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi at a session attended by Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

According to Working Party Chairperson H.E. Joakim Reiter, the accession package for Liberia is high quality and it took eight (8) years minus two (2) days to finalize the accession process. “Liberia’s WTO accession is a strong, positive and clear signal of its commitment to engaging with the global economy in the framework of the rules-based trading system. The conclusion of this least-developed country accession is a critical win-win for LDCs, Africa and the WTO”.

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf remarked that the WTO membership as a turning point to Liberia’s history after 12 years of peace and stability. She said Liberia is committed to the WTO principles of fully integrating in to the multilateral global trading system.

Her Excellency, President Sirleaf acknowledged the efforts of our development partners saying “We appreciate the collaborative effort of our development partners. Liberia fully subscribes to the common African position on strengthening the rule-based multilateral trade system for the Africa that we want. A system founded on the principles of respect, fair and transparent global trade that is of mutual benefit to all”.

President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulated Liberia’s President Ellen Sirleaf on the accession, saying this would assist in achieving faster development and improve livelihood for her people.

Liberia completed its accession negotiations and the Working Party adopted the accession package ad referendum at the 4th and final meeting of the Working Party on October 6th, 2015. The Working Party concluded its mandate and agreed to transmit the Package to the 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi for formal action.