Liberia to Host 2026 Diaspora Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.
By: Feeme M. Wantee
Monrovia, Liberia – August 13, 2026 — The Government of Liberia, through the Office of Diaspora Affairs under the Office of the President, has announced plans to host the 2026 Diaspora Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., from September 25 to 27, 2026.
The conference, which will be held at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in the Washington metropolitan area, will bring together Liberians from the diaspora, government officials, private-sector actors, and other stakeholders to discuss ways of strengthening the contribution of Liberians abroad to national development.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information, the Head of the Office of Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Erasmus T. Williams, said this year’s conference will be held under the theme, “From Dialogue to Delivery.”
Mr. Williams said the theme reflects a shift in the government’s approach to diaspora engagement, moving beyond policy discussions toward practical outcomes, investment opportunities, and initiatives that can produce measurable benefits for Liberia.
He said the government intends to harness the vast potential of the Liberian diaspora by creating opportunities for greater participation in the country’s economic and development agenda.
According to him, the conference will focus on transforming conversations with Liberians abroad into tangible and impactful initiatives, particularly in areas related to investment and national development
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“This year’s conference is marked by a pivotal transition from policy conversation to tangible outcome,” Williams said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to harnessing the potential of the Liberian diaspora.
He noted that the conference structure includes both a steering committee and a planning committee, with various government ministries and agencies participating in the coordination of the event.
Mr. Williams explained that the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs chairs the steering committee, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs serves as co-chair.
He said representatives from the private sector are also playing an important role in the planning and implementation of the conference, noting that diaspora engagement requires collaboration between government and non-governmental stakeholders.
The inclusion of private-sector representatives, he said, is intended to strengthen the conference’s focus on investment, partnerships, and practical opportunities for Liberians in the diaspora to contribute to the country’s development.
Mr. Williams also disclosed that the 2026 conference will be chaired by Ambassador Emmett Dunn, who previously served as Liberia’s National Orator and also chaired last year’s Diaspora Annual Conference.
He said the leadership and organizational structure of the conference are intended to ensure that discussions held during the event translate into concrete actions and opportunities.
The government expects the gathering to provide a platform for Liberians living abroad to engage directly with government institutions, explore investment opportunities, and identify areas where diaspora expertise, resources, and partnerships can support national development.
The 2026 Diaspora Annual Conference is therefore expected to serve as an important platform for strengthening relations between Liberia and its diaspora community while promoting investment, collaboration, and development partnerships.
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