Liberia Strengthens National Health Security Through Landmark Multisectoral One Health Agreement
Monrovia, Liberia | August 5, 2026: Liberia has taken another significant step toward strengthening national and global health security with the signing of a Multisectoral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for One Health Collaboration and the Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005), as amended in 2024.
The landmark agreement, signed in Monrovia under the auspices of the Liberia One Health Coordination Platform, formalizes the Government of Liberia’s commitment to institutionalizing multisectoral collaboration to prevent, detect, prepare for, and respond to public health threats that emerge at the interface of humans, animals, plants, and the environment.
The Memorandum of Understanding brings together key government institutions to strengthen coordinated action in support of Liberia’s health security agenda and reinforces the country’s commitment to implementing the amended International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). It establishes a framework for enhanced cooperation among sectors responsible for public health, animal health, environmental protection, agriculture, food safety, border management, national security, and other critical areas.
Under the agreement, the participating institutions committed to working collaboratively through the Liberia One Health Coordination Platform to improve multisectoral cooperation and service delivery in pursuit of the Government of Liberia’s health security objectives. Recognizing their shared responsibility as institutions of government, the parties further pledged to work efficiently and effectively toward common national goals while promoting sustainable actions that optimize the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment.
The MoU outlines coordinated action across several strategic areas, including border operations, food safety and standards, human, animal and plant health, environmental protection, antimicrobial resistance, national security, and climate change-related hazards. It also commits the parties to strengthening prevention, preparedness, surveillance, risk assessment, notification, verification, emergency response, recovery, and the continuity of essential services in accordance with the amended International Health Regulations. The agreement emphasizes the principles of equity, solidarity, respect for human rights, and equitable access to relevant health products during public health emergencies.
Delivering the keynote address, Advertus Nyan Mianah, National Coordinator of the Liberia One Health Coordination Platform, commended all participating sectors for their dedication to advancing the One Health approach in Liberia.
Reflecting on the country’s public health journey, Mr. Mianah recalled Liberia’s experiences responding to Ebola, COVID-19, Lassa fever, and other emerging health threats, noting that effective coordination and collaboration have been central to strengthening national disease prevention and response systems. He also acknowledged the indispensable contribution of the security sector in supporting public health emergency preparedness and response.
“The Memorandum of Understanding we signed today institutionalizes our collaboration to prevent, detect, and respond to threats at the human-animal-environment interface,” Mr. Mianah stated.
He emphasized that strengthening institutional partnerships remains essential as health threats become increasingly complex and interconnected, requiring coordinated action across multiple sectors.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Sia Wata Camanor, Interim Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and Chairperson of the One Health Technical Committee, applauded the collective efforts of government institutions and technical experts whose collaboration made the development of the Memorandum of Understanding possible.
Dr. Camanor urged sectoral leaders to move beyond the signing ceremony by ensuring the full implementation of the commitments contained in the agreement.
“This is not just the signatures, but the commitments to ensure that our Points of Entry and our systems are prepared to respond,” she emphasized.
She noted that the agreement provides a practical framework for strengthening national preparedness and resilience against current and future public health emergencies through coordinated multisectoral action.
Representatives of the participating sectors also reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Memorandum of Understanding and strengthening multisectoral collaboration to advance the One Health approach and enhance Liberia’s health security.
The signing ceremony brought together representatives from a broad range of government institutions, reflecting Liberia’s commitment to a whole-of-government approach to health security. Participating institutions included the Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Ministry of National Defense (MoD)/Armed Forces of Liberia, Ministry of Information (MoI), National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Forestry Development Authority (FDA), and the Liberia One Health Coordination Platform.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding represents another important milestone in Liberia’s efforts to operationalize the One Health approach and strengthen implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005), as amended in 2024. By institutionalizing collaboration among government sectors, Liberia is reinforcing its capacity to address complex health threats that transcend traditional sectoral boundaries and contribute to stronger national, regional, and global health security.
As emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, environmental degradation, climate-related hazards, and transboundary health threats continue to challenge countries worldwide, Liberia’s renewed commitment to a coordinated One Health approach positions the country to better safeguard the health of its people, animals, ecosystems, and future generations.
