The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has called for unified action among stakeholders to safeguard the country’s rich biodiversity.
Addressing participants at a technical meeting on Tuesday, January 14 2025, he underscored the critical need for the implementation, monitoring, and promotion of Liberia’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
The event gathered representatives from government, civil society, the private sector, and development partners, all focused on developing strategies to preserve Liberia’s forests, wetlands, and marine ecosystems.
The EPA Director highlighted that these ecosystems are not only essential for Liberia’s environment but also play a significant role in global ecological health.
He cautioned that Liberia’s biodiversity is under considerable threat from habitat loss, climate change, and unsustainable resource exploitation.
However, he noted the country’s commitment to addressing these challenges, particularly through the submission of revised biodiversity targets to the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat in August 2024.
Emphasizing the necessity for a coordinated approach, the EPA Director urged collaboration among government branches, local communities, civil society, and private stakeholders.
He encouraged attendees to propose innovative solutions, stressing that their collective efforts would benefit both present and future generations.
The Director also acknowledged the vital support of development partners, expressing gratitude for their contributions to advancing Liberia’s environmental objectives. He assured stakeholders of the EPA’s commitment to transparency and accountability in their initiatives.
“Together, we can secure a sustainable future for our nation and contribute meaningfully to global efforts to protect biodiversity,” he stated. The meeting aims to finalize action plans that ensure the sustainable use of Liberia’s biodiversity while effectively addressing urgent environmental challenges.
