Liberia Joins UN Tax Committee, Strengthening Global Role in Fair Tax Governance
Appointed by the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Darlingston Y. Talery will serve on the 25-member committee for a four-year term concluding on June 30, 2029.

- Country:
- Liberia
In a landmark achievement for Liberia’s diplomacy and public finance governance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), has proudly announced the country’s appointment to the United Nations Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters. This milestone marks Liberia’s most prominent engagement yet in global tax policy discussions and underscores its emergence as a credible voice in international financial governance.
Appointed by the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Darlingston Y. Talery will serve on the 25-member committee for a four-year term concluding on June 30, 2029. Talery, a seasoned tax policy expert, is a former Commissioner for Domestic Tax at the LRA and currently leads the Department of Domestic Resource Mobilization at the ECOWAS Commission.
A Moment of National Pride and Global Recognition
The announcement has been met with national pride, with government officials hailing it as a symbol of Liberia’s maturing institutional capacity and international reputation. Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, emphasized that the appointment showcases both Mr. Talery’s professional distinction and Liberia’s potential to influence international policy arenas:
“This appointment not only recognizes the professional excellence of Mr. Talery but also positions Liberia as an active contributor to the global conversation on fair and inclusive tax systems.”
Commissioner General of the LRA, James Dorbor Jallah, also applauded the development, crediting years of reform and institutional strengthening:
“Mr. Talery’s appointment is the result of consistent investment in capacity-building and policy innovation. Liberia is ready to contribute meaningfully to international tax cooperation and benefit from fair global tax practices.”
Competitive Selection Process Validates Liberia’s Growing Role
The appointment follows a competitive process initiated by a UN Secretary-General’s invitation dated November 20, 2024, inviting all 193 UN Member States to nominate qualified experts. Of the 58 nominations received, only 25 candidates were selected — Liberia included.
These experts, appointed in their individual capacity, bring diverse experiences and regional insights. Liberia joins countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, France, India, China, Belgium, Brazil, and Australia in what is arguably the UN’s most influential expert group on taxation.
What the Committee Does — And Why Liberia’s Voice Matters
The UN Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters, established under ECOSOC Resolution 2004/69 and aligned with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development, plays a crucial role in:
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Enhancing global tax transparency
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Tackling illicit financial flows
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Promoting coherence in international tax norms
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Supporting domestic resource mobilization for development
As countries grapple with digital taxation, climate finance, and minimum global tax regimes, the Committee’s deliberations shape multilateral rules and support capacity-building in developing countries.
Mr. Talery’s presence offers Liberia — and West Africa — a unique chance to ensure that African development challenges, especially in fragile and post-conflict contexts, are fully reflected in emerging tax standards and global best practices.
Elevating Liberia’s Multilateral Footprint
This appointment aligns with the Liberian administration’s broader strategic goal to expand national representation in multilateral organizations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Mr. Talery’s appointment should serve as a catalyst for other ministries, agencies, and commissions to actively identify and nominate qualified Liberians to international roles.
“This is a call to action. We must collectively harness the talent in our country and promote them globally,” the Ministry stated.
The appointment also reflects a productive collaboration between Liberia’s Foreign Ministry and the LRA, exemplifying whole-of-government diplomacy focused on governance, inclusion, and institutional integrity.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Expectations
As a committee member, Mr. Talery will participate in shaping UN tax policy recommendations, contribute to global tax dialogue, and co-develop guidance notes and model instruments that impact national laws worldwide. Liberia stands to gain:
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Access to international policy-shaping forums
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Exposure to emerging taxation trends and innovations
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Direct influence on capacity-building tools for developing nations
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Enhanced foreign partnerships and technical cooperation
This role also reinforces Liberia’s regional leadership, particularly through ECOWAS, and supports the African Union’s push for more equitable global tax governance, aligned with initiatives such as the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF).
A Continental and Institutional Milestone
According to AUDA-NEPAD and regional observers, this development strengthens African voices in a rapidly evolving global financial ecosystem. It also demonstrates how domestic policy investments — such as those made by the LRA in workforce development and transparency — can translate into international recognition and influence.
The government, through Liberia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other partners, has pledged full support to Mr. Talery during his term and reaffirmed its commitment to building stronger, fairer, and more inclusive tax systems at home and abroad.