Assistant Minister for International Organisations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Liberia, Ms Karishma Pelham-Raad is spearheading Liberia’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, taking on the role of global chairperson with a clear mission to position Liberia as a credible voice for peace, security and international cooperation.
Pelham-Raad had been at the forefront of the diplomatic effort since the campaign’s official launch on September 27, 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Over the last eight months, she has led a coordinated international push to mobilise support from member-states and elevate Liberia’s profile as a trusted partner in global peace and security. The campaign is set to close on May 27 when the final round of lobbying concludes at the UN headquarters.
“This campaign is about more than winning a seat. It is about projecting Liberia’s story — one of resilience, transformation and a deep commitment to peace and international cooperation.”
In her role as Chairperson, Pelham-Raad is managing a diplomatic strategy that spans multiple continents. She is actively engaging with regional blocs, leading Liberia’s representation at multilateral forums and amplifying the nation’s credentials as a stabilising force in West Africa and beyond.
She sees the campaign as a continuation of Liberia’s longstanding contribution to international diplomacy. “We have been through conflict, we have rebuilt and now we are ready to contribute meaningfully to global peace and security.
“Liberia understands what is at stake in conflict zones because we have lived it.”
The campaign’s central message, under Pelham-Raad’s stewardship, revolves around Liberia’s post-war transformation and commitment to multilateralism. Her leadership emphasizes key national priorities including peacebuilding, climate resilience, post-conflict recovery and the inclusion of women and youth in peace processes.
She has also spotlighted Liberia’s rich diplomatic legacy. As the oldest republic in Africa, it is a founding member of the United Nations and the African Union. The country played a pivotal role in drafting the charter of the Organisation of African Unity in Monrovia and was instrumental in early peacekeeping operations in Africa.
Pelham-Raad frequently references Liberia’s symbolic and practical contributions to global peace — from supporting the creation of the State of Israel at the UN in 1948, to producing the only Black woman ever elected as President of the UN General Assembly, Angie Brooks Randall.
In recent months, she has intensified Liberia’s messaging campaign, stressing the nation’s commitment to democratic values, freedom of the press, environmental protection — Liberia accounts for over 44 percent of West Africa’s remaining rainforest — and its reputation as a welcoming and hospitable nation.
“Liberia is not just leaning on its past. We are showing that we are active, engaged and ready to contribute solutions to today’s global challenges,” she said.
Working with the Foreign Ministry, Liberia’s Permanent Mission to the UN and key diplomatic partners, Pelham-Raad has framed the campaign as a collective national effort. “This is not about one person. It is about a country that believes in peace, in cooperation and in its own power to lead,” she said.
She is confident that Liberia will be successful in securing a two-year term on the 15-member Security Council, beginning January 2026. As one of the ten rotating non-permanent members, the country would participate in critical decisions on sanctions, conflict resolution, peacekeeping mandates and the global security agenda.
“Our presence on the Council would reflect the voice of nations that have overcome adversity and now seek to build peace. It would be a victory not only for Liberia, but for the values we share with the world,” Pelham-Raad said.
