Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia’s environmental leadership was on full display Monday as Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), delivered the keynote address at a global webinar focused on climate education.
The international virtual event, hosted by the University of Liberia through its National University Climate Action Laboratory (NUCAL), marked the official launch of the country’s first-ever Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate Curriculum in Climate Action.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized the urgency of integrating climate education into national development strategies.
“Climate change is not just a global environmental issue—it is a national development issue,” he said. “Education must be at the forefront of building a climate-resilient and sustainable Liberia, particularly for successful implementation of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.”
He praised the University of Liberia and its development partners for leading the initiative, which aims to build local technical capacity and produce a new generation of environmental leaders. The program is supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and implemented in collaboration with Canadian partner Novasphere.
“The EPA remains proud to partner with academic institutions to advance climate literacy,” Dr. Yarkpawolo stated. “This curriculum launch is a shining example of what can be achieved through innovation, collaboration, and vision.”
University President Prof. Dr. Layli Maparyan, also speaking at the event, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to climate research and education. Other key speakers included Dr. Charles Asumana Sr., Dean of the College of Science & Technology, and Dr. Emmanuel T. Olatunji, who provided detailed insights into the program’s structure and learning objectives.
Participants from the student body and faculty shared personal experiences on how the curriculum is shaping their perspectives and involvement in climate policy and environmental stewardship.
Now four months into implementation, the Climate Action curriculum stands as a groundbreaking postgraduate program that blends academic instruction with hands-on fieldwork—positioning Liberia at the forefront of climate education in the region.
The webinar served not only to commemorate the curriculum’s formal introduction but also to elevate Liberia’s voice within the global climate conversation.
Dr. Yarkpawolo closed his remarks with a call to action:
“Let us continue to invest in education, research, and policy that empower us to act boldly and urgently in the face of the global climate crisis.
