B. Elias Shoniyin

B. Elias Shoniyin is an international affairs, development, and policy professional, with over nineteen years' experience in nonprofit and public service, in multiple senior positions where he has made significant contributions to the post-war recovery and development of his native Liberia. He served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia in two successive administrations and intermittently serves as Acting Foreign Minister in the absence of the Minister. An important part of his work was administering the Liberian Foreign Service. Elias’ leadership has inspired strategic reforms in all spheres of the Foreign Ministry and the diplomatic service of Liberia.

He played a pivotal role in deepening Liberia’s post-conflict cooperation with friendly nations and exploring cooperation opportunities on new frontiers. He coordinated Liberia’s resource mobilization efforts during West Africa Ebola outbreak in 2014, drawing urgent global attention to the health crisis, resulting to the effective containment of the virus in Liberia. He led Liberian delegations to many high-level international conferences and negotiations, including serving as Advisor to the Liberian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly.