Following Liberia’s high-profile participation at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) held from November 10-21, 2025 in Belem, Brazil, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with ActionAid Liberia, has convened a pivotal National Stakeholders Workshop to translate global climate commitments into local action. The workshop, held over the weekend in Monrovia, served as a strategic bridge between international diplomacy and the domestic implementation of the ARREST Agenda, focusing on how global climate finance and policy shifts can benefit the average Liberian.
The workshop’s agenda focused on several critical pillars: National Briefing: Disseminating the specific achievements and bilateral agreements signed during the summit, Financing Windows: Identifying pathways for adaptation finance and the Tropical Forest Forecasting Facility (TFFF), and Inclusive Collaboration: Bringing together civil society, youth, academia, and the private sector to ensure a just transition. Addressing the gathering, the Executive Director and CEO of the EPA, Dr. Emmanuel King Urey Yarkpawolo, emphasized that Liberia is no longer just a participant in global climate talks but a leader in environmental diplomacy. "Our success at COP30 was not just about showing up; it was about securing Liberia’s future," Dr. Yarkpawolo stated.
"We have returned with clear mandates on forest financing and adaptation. This workshop is about ensuring that the Ministry of Agriculture, the Forestry Development Authority and our local communities are all reading from the same playbook to turn these global promises into tangible projects." He further said Liberia’s presence at COP30 was marked by a renewed commitment to forest governance and environmental justice. According to him, as Liberia looks toward the development of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), the post-COP workshop aims to domesticate international agreements. Also speaking, Madam Elizabeth Dato Gbah, Country Director of ActionAid Liberia, highlighted the importance of climate justice for vulnerable populations, particularly women and rural smallholder farmers who bear the brunt of climate instability.
"ActionAid is proud to partner with the EPA in this effort," Madam Johnson remarked. "For us, the outcomes of COP30 must reach the woman farmer in Gbarpolu and the youth in Grand Kru. We are here to ensure that climate finance is not just a high-level conversation, but a resource that builds resilience at the grassroots level." For his part, the UNDP Country Representative, Aliou Dia, underscored the technical and financial support required to meet Liberia's ambitious climate goals. He noted that the UNDP remains a committed partner in helping Liberia navigate the complex requirements for accessing the Loss and Damage Fund and other green financing mechanisms established at the global level. Meanwhile, the session also provided preliminary briefings on the roadmap to COP31, ensuring that Liberia maintains its momentum as a reform-driven nation committed to sustainable development.
