By Vaye A. Lepolu
Farmington Hotel, Margibi County, Liberia – August 9, 2024 – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia convened a high-level dialogue focused on the effective implementation of the country’s National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). Themed “Effective Implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAP) for Development Processes in Liberia: A Collaborative Approach Between Policymakers and the Donor Community,” the event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss strategies for advancing climate resilience in Liberia.
Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director/CEO of the EPA, emphasized the critical role of NAPs as frameworks established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). He highlighted Liberia’s vulnerability to climate-related hazards, including flooding, drought, and rising sea levels, underscoring the necessity for effective implementation of these plans.
“This high-level dialogue serves as a vital platform for stakeholders, including government officials, civil society representatives, international partners, and local communities, to collaborate on advancing our adaptation strategies,” Dr. Urey stated. He noted that the primary goal of the dialogue is to foster collaboration among various stakeholders to enhance the implementation of Liberia’s NAPs.
Dr. Urey further explained that the discussions would focus on sharing best practices, identifying funding opportunities, and addressing the challenges faced in executing adaptation strategies. “We aim to create a sense of urgency around climate action while ensuring that our adaptation measures are inclusive and equitable,” he added.
He also highlighted the importance of recognizing the diverse range of stakeholders involved in the adaptation process. This includes government ministries responsible for environmental management, local governments implementing community-based adaptation initiatives, non-governmental organizations advocating for vulnerable populations, and international development partners providing essential technical and financial support.
Meanwhile, Dr. Urey reiterated the need for a united front in the fight against climate change. He highlighted Key Challenges during the dialogue that hinder the effective implementation of their goals. “These may include limited financial resources, inadequate technical capacity at local levels, lack of data for informed decision-making, and insufficient public awareness regarding climate change impacts. By openly discussing these challenges, collectively we can work towards developing actionable solutions,” he said.
Commenting on the Vision for Climate Resilience in Liberia, the EPA Boss said the overarching vision for this high-level dialogue should be centered on building a resilient future for Liberia where communities can adapt to changing climatic conditions while promoting sustainable development. This vision aligns with national priorities as well as global commitments under the Paris Agreement.
He went on to commit the EPA to take concrete actions that will lead to tangible outcomes in implementing Liberia’s National Adaptation Plans- NAPs. “It is vital that they leave this gathering not only with renewed energy but also with specific commitments from all stakeholders present as will be done today in their adoption of the Farmington High-level Declaration for Implementation of Liberia’s National Adaptation Plans (NAP)In conclusion,” he said.
He encouraged partners to work together towards a shared goal enhancing resilience against climate change impacts in Liberia through effective implementation of our National Adaptation Plans. ”We, the Honorable Members of the National legislature, Ministers, heads of agencies, members of the donor community as well as esteemed stakeholders of the Republic of Liberia, have gathered at Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, Liberia on this historic day of August 9, 2024, to reaffirm our collective commitment as was done on December 8, 2021, during the official launch of Liberia National Adaptation Plans (NAP) at Corina Hotel in Monrovia,” he said.
Urey: “We, united, accept and reinforce the just recently adopted Private Sector, Youth, Women and CSOs “Kakata Declaration” which aims to address the critical impacts of climate change and support the implementation of Liberia’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP). This high-level stakeholders’ declaration acknowledges the pressing need for action and underscores our dedication to fostering resilience and sustainable development for our generation and future generations. Liberia, a nation rich in natural beauty and resources, is faced with significant challenges due to the adverse effects of climate change. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events are threatening our ecosystems, economy, and livelihoods.”
He emphasized, “The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) serves as a blueprint for systematic and strategic adaptation planning. It aims at reducing vulnerability and enhancing the adaptive capacity of our local communities. Cognizant of this, as legislatures, high-level Ministers, and representatives of Government Line Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs) including UN Agencies, bilateral and multilateral institutions and International Organizations, Academia, youth, and CSOs, we commit to the following: We commit to socially inclusive and participatory decision-making processes that integrate the insights and contributions of all sectors of society, including government, private sector, civil society, youth, women and children. Their involvement is pivotal to the success of our adaptation strategies.”
Dr. Urey further noted, “We pledge to enhance the capacity of our institutions at all levels to effectively coordinate and implement the National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). This involves improving policy coherence, fostering high-level stakeholders’ collaboration across different levels of governance, and ensuring robust governance structures and vertical and horizontal integration; Recognizing the need for adequate and increased financial resources for adaptation, we will allocate resources from both domestic and international sources to implement Liberia’s National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).”
In addition, he stated the approach will ensure that climate resilience becomes a cornerstone of sustainable development across agriculture, fisheries, coastal, forestry, waste, energy, health, infrastructure, water resources, and other critical sectors acknowledging the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable groups, particularly women, youth, and marginalized communities “we will implement targeted and locally led adaptation programs to enhance their resilience and adaptive capacities and this includes facilitating access to education, training, and economic opportunities,” he noted.
Urey: “We will strengthen our climate information systems to better prepare for and respond to climate-induced hazards and also this will include investing in early warning systems, emergency response infrastructure, and community-based resilience initiatives”
We will establish and operationalize multi-stakeholder platforms across the scale to facilitate dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among government entities, private sector leaders, civil society organizations, and community groups; We will implement comprehensive capacity-strengthening programs to equip individuals, particularly youth and women, with the skills and knowledge necessary for effective participation in and contribution to adaptation efforts”
Moreover, he said, “We will review and enhance policy and regulatory frameworks to remove barriers and create incentives for climate-resilient investments and practices, particularly in the private sector. We will support and expand community-led adaptation projects that leverage local knowledge, capacities, and leadership and address specific vulnerabilities faced by various communities across Liberia; We will invest in the development and upgrading of resilient infrastructure that can withstand climate impacts, ensuring the protection of public assets and critical services”
His words: “We note that the direct impacts of climate change are experienced mostly at the local level and commit, to integrating climate adaptation into the local government decentralization process in order to strengthen adaptation at the local level. We will establish a comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, and learning system to track progress at the community level, assess the effectiveness of adaptation measures, learn from a variety of adaptation initiatives, and inform continuous improvements in adaptation planning and implementation”
Participating institutions include the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia, the Ministry of Finance and Development,
Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Works, Forestry Development Authority, National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Liberia, Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information
n Services, National Disaster Management Agency, the House of Senate
The House of Representatives, UNDP Liberia
UN FAO Liberia, UN Women Liberia
UN Capital Development Fund, World Bank Liberia Country Office, Society for the Conservation of Nature in Liberia
The University of Liberia, Federation of Liberian Youth, National Civil Society Council of Liberia, and Ministry of State Signature on the National Adaptation plans.
