Liberia Charts Ambitious Climate Agenda at COP30 -EPA Working towards Balancing Economic Growth, Job Creation

MONROVIA – What unarguably amounts to a significant stride towards addressing the climate crisis has unfolded as Liberia has unveiled its comprehensive plan for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), signaling its determination to transition from being a victim of climate change to a global climate solution country. With a strong focus on forest and ocean-based solutions, climate finance, and sustainable development, Liberia’s COP30 agenda aligns with its national priorities, aiming to drive economic transformation, create green jobs, and protect the country’s rich biodiversity. The Analyst’s George C Flomo reports.

Liberia’s Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has outlined the nation’s agenda for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), declaring Liberia’s determination to move from being seen as a victim of climate change to being recognized as a global climate solution country.

Speaking Thursday at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) regular press briefing, Dr. Yarkpawolo described climate change as “one of the greatest challenges facing humanity,” warning that Liberia continues to bear the brunt of rising sea levels, flooding, and biodiversity loss despite contributing minimally to global emissions.

“Our coastal communities are eroding, our farmers are struggling with unpredictable weather patterns, and our ecosystems are under deep pressure,” he said.

Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized that Liberia will participate at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, with a high-level delegation headed by Hon. Augustine K. Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, representing President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the people of Liberia.

Liberia’s COP30 Focus: Forests, Oceans, and Climate Finance

COP30, scheduled for November 2025 in the Amazon city of Belém, will center on forest and ocean-based solutions, just transitions, and climate finance priorities that align strongly with Liberia’s national agenda.

During the Leaders’ Summit, Liberia will present its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), committing to a 64% emission reduction by 2035. The NDC links directly to the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, connecting climate action to economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation.

 “Liberia’s climate action is not just about protecting nature it’s about driving economic transformation and creating green jobs,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said.

Liberia’s National Pavilion: Showcasing the ‘Third Lung of the World’

A major feature of Liberia’s participation will be the establishment of a National Pavilion at COP30, designed as a vibrant hub to showcase the nation’s biodiversity, forest cover, and sustainable investment opportunities.

Liberia, which holds 43% of West Africa’s forest cover, plays a vital role in global carbon absorption. Dr. Yarkpawolo described the country as the “Third Lung of the World”, after the Amazon and Congo Basins, noting that its mangrove and forest ecosystems absorb millions of tons of carbon that help cool the planet.

“Through this Pavilion, Liberia will promote itself as a destination for green investment, sustainable partnerships, and nature-based climate solutions,” he explained.

Carbon Market Policy and the Natural Capital Atlas

Dr. Yarkpawolo announced that Liberia will also launch its first national Carbon Market Policy at COP30. The framework, now in final review, will define eligibility criteria, community benefit-sharing mechanisms, and alignment with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on carbon trading.

The Pavilion will host special sessions introducing this new policy to bilateral and multilateral partners, as well as the private sector.

In collaboration with UNDP, UNCDF, and other partners, the EPA has also produced Liberia’s first post-war Natural Capital Atlas, a comprehensive mapping of the country’s forests, rivers, minerals, and biodiversity.

“This Atlas demonstrates that Liberia’s natural wealth is not only its heritage but a foundation for sustainable economic transformation,” the EPA boss said.

The Natural Capital Atlas will be officially launched on November 10, 2025, during the opening of COP30 in Brazil.

Preparatory Meetings Ahead of COP30

To ensure a unified national voice at COP30, the EPA will hold a preparatory meeting for Liberia’s delegation on Friday, October 31, 2025, at the Climate Change Laboratory, University of Liberia, followed by a High-Level Inter-Ministerial and Legislative Meeting on Saturday, November 1, at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County.

Dr. Yarkpawolo also announced the launch of a dedicated online platform www.liberiaclimatenegotiations.online as the official information hub for Liberia’s COP30 participation. The website provides updates on policies, Pavilion events, delegation profiles, and conference outcomes.

A Call for Global Partnership

The EPA boss concluded by reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to international cooperation in addressing the climate crisis.

“We are not just victims of climate change; we are custodians of the world’s natural lungs,” Dr. Yarkpawolo declared. “Protecting Liberia’s forests, wetlands, and marine ecosystems is protecting the planet itself.”

He called on global partners and investors to support Liberia’s efforts to transform its natural capital into sustainable prosperity, emphasizing that the country’s leadership under President Boakai is positioning Liberia as a trusted partner in global climate solutions.