The Government of Liberia has taken a major step toward implementing the 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) following the signing of a national declaration of commitment. This milestone came after a three-day national technical workshop held in Monrovia from 15–17 December 2025, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). The workshop brought together 80 experts from government institutions, partner organizations, academia, and civil society to review the amended regulations and agree on national steps for their domestication. The process concluded with the endorsement of a national declaration outlining Liberia’s commitment to implementing the updated regulations.
During a policy and domestication session on 18 December 2025, Dr. Sia Wata Camanor, Chair of the One Health Technical Committee and Acting Director-General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), presented the agreed steps for domestication, including institutional arrangements and an implementation roadmap. These were formally endorsed by senior ministers and signed by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, who also serves as Chair of the One Health Steering Committee.
Vice President Koung emphasized the importance of preparedness, coordination, and decisive leadership in addressing public health threats, noting that such threats do not respect borders. He highlighted that reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to the amended International Health Regulations reflects national ownership of health security responsibilities and lessons learned from past public health emergencies. The vice president also noted the designation of the Ministry of Health as the National International Health Regulations Authority and NPHIL as the national focal point, strengthening accountability and enabling timely, high-level decision-making.
The declaration underscores Liberia’s resolve to align national laws and preparedness plans with the amended regulations, enhance multisectoral coordination through a One Health approach, and invest in surveillance, laboratory systems, workforce capacity, and sustainable domestic financing. Vice President Koung further stressed that Liberia would fully implement the 2024 amendments while ensuring actions remain guided by constitutional processes, national priorities, and sovereign interests.
WHO Representative to Liberia, Dr. Olushayo Oluseun Olu, commended Liberia’s resilience in responding to recent health emergencies, including COVID-19 and mpox. He noted that the 2024 amendments were shaped by countries’ real experiences and aim to provide clearer national authority, stronger coordination, and faster action in response to public health threats. Dr. Olu highlighted that Liberia’s commitment to domesticating the amendments and applying a One Health approach demonstrates strong national ownership of its health security agenda.
Dr. Musa Abdullahi, Acting Country Director for Africa CDC, emphasized that the 2024 amendments align with continental priorities and confirmed Africa CDC’s support to help Liberia strengthen its core capacities for preparedness and response. Other participants included representatives from multiple government ministries, development partners, academia, civil society organizations, and the media.
The International Health Regulations (2005), revised in 2024, serve as a legally binding global framework guiding 196 countries to prevent, detect, and respond to public health risks that may spread internationally while minimizing unnecessary disruption to travel and trade. WHO continues to support Liberia through legal, policy, and operational assistance, capacity-building, and multisectoral collaboration. The amendments provide Liberia an opportunity to strengthen disease surveillance, modernize emergency response systems, reinforce laboratory networks, and advance the implementation of the National Action Plan for Health Security in line with national priorities.
