The Executive Director of Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has urged stakeholders to rally together in a concerted effort to preserve the nation’s invaluable ecosystems.
In his address during a technical meeting held in Monrovia, the EPA Director highlighted the urgent need for the implementation and monitoring of Liberia’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
The meeting convened a diverse group of participants, including representatives from government, civil society, the private sector, and development partners, all dedicated to strategizing the protection of Liberia’s forests, wetlands, and marine ecosystems.
“Our ecosystems are not only critical to Liberia’s environment but are also vital to global ecological health,” the EPA Director stated, underscoring the interconnectedness of local biodiversity with worldwide ecological stability. He cautioned that Liberia’s rich biodiversity faces significant threats from habitat loss, climate change, and unsustainable exploitation of resources.
In anticipation of the submission of revised biodiversity targets to the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat, the Director reaffirmed the country’s commitment to confronting these pressing challenges.
He emphasized the importance of a coordinated approach across different sectors, calling for cooperation among government entities, local communities, civil society, and private stakeholders.
“We must harness innovative solutions and work together for the benefit of both present and future generations,” he urged, highlighting the potential for collective action to yield impactful results.
The Director also took a moment to appreciate the crucial support from development partners, recognizing their role in advancing environmental initiatives in Liberia. He reiterated the EPA’s commitment to transparency and accountability in all its endeavors.
The meeting’s primary objective is to finalize comprehensive action plans that ensure the sustainable use of Liberia’s biodiversity while effectively addressing the urgent environmental challenges facing the nation. “Together, we can secure a sustainable future for our nation and contribute meaningfully to global efforts to protect biodiversity,” he said.
