NAYCOM Commissioner Joseph Maada Lahai Inspires Young Leaders at Liberia UN Conference

Commissioner of the National Youth Commission (NAYCOM), Joseph Maada Lahai, has participated in the Liberia Model United Nations Conference as a Distinguished Guest Speaker, where he addressed young leaders on the importance of diplomacy, leadership, civic responsibility and international cooperation.

The engagement brought together young people from across West Africa and beyond, providing a platform for participants to develop their understanding of international relations while exploring how young people can contribute to sustainable development in their communities and countries.

Commissioner Lahai’s participation also highlighted Sierra Leone’s continued efforts to promote youth leadership and create opportunities for young people to develop the skills, confidence and global perspective needed to contribute to national and regional development.

Speaking at the conference, Commissioner Lahai emphasised the importance of preparing young people to take active roles in addressing the challenges facing their communities and the wider region.

His message focused on diplomacy, responsible leadership, civic participation and international cooperation, highlighting the role young people can play in building stronger and more connected societies.

The engagement comes at a time when youth participation is increasingly being recognised as an important component of West Africa’s development agenda.

Through platforms such as Model United Nations, young people are given opportunities to debate global issues, understand diplomatic processes and develop practical leadership and communication skills.

The Model United Nations Liberia initiative was established in 2020 as a non-profit, non-governmental organisation focused on educating and empowering young people in global politics and international relations.

The 2026 conference brought together delegates from several African countries, including Liberia, Guinea, Senegal, Zambia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Ghana and Nigeria.

The conference was held under the theme “Global Citizens, Local Impact: Action and Innovation for a Sustainable Future.”

The theme placed emphasis on the ability of young people to connect global challenges with solutions at the local level, encouraging participants to consider how innovation and youth-led action can contribute to sustainable development.

The conference also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with particular attention to SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 5 on Gender Equality.

Commissioner Joseph Maada Lahai was appointed to the National Youth Commission in August 2025, following parliamentary approval of his nomination by President Julius Maada Bio.

NAYCOM is responsible for coordinating youth-related programmes and supporting government policy and initiatives concerning young people.

The Commission’s work includes efforts to promote opportunities for youth development, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and greater participation in national affairs.

Lahai’s participation in the Liberia Model United Nations Conference therefore provided an opportunity to extend Sierra Leone’s youth development engagement beyond its borders while strengthening connections with young leaders and youth-focused organisations in other countries.

The engagement in Liberia also comes amid growing efforts to strengthen youth cooperation across West Africa.

In June 2026, Sierra Leone hosted the inaugural Mano River Union YouthConnekt Summit, bringing together young people from Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire.

The initiative provided another platform for young leaders from the region to discuss opportunities for collaboration, leadership and development.

Against this background, Commissioner Lahai’s participation in the Liberia Model United Nations Conference adds to wider efforts to create stronger networks among young Africans and encourage them to participate actively in addressing regional challenges.

The Liberia Model United Nations Conference demonstrates the growing importance of platforms that expose young people to diplomacy, international affairs and leadership at an early stage.

For Sierra Leone, Commissioner Lahai’s participation represents an opportunity to strengthen the country’s engagement with regional youth initiatives while encouraging young Sierra Leoneans to develop the skills required to participate effectively in national, regional and international affairs.

As young leaders from across the region continue to connect through initiatives such as Model United Nations and YouthConnekt, these platforms can help foster greater regional cooperation, civic responsibility and youth-led solutions to shared development challenges.