ECA to support Liberia in developing climate change policy, strategy and plan

On the 22nd July 2014 , a team from the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) visited Liberia where a joint project to develop a “National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Plan for Liberia” was launched. Speaking at the launch, Hon. Jeremiah Sokan, chair of the National Climate Change Task Force and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning applauded ECA’s support. He underscored the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a unique platform that brings high level policy makers to gather around the many climate change challenges, ranging from adaptation, mitigation, transfer of technology, clean development mechanisms and capacity building. Mr. Sokan further described the launch of the project as a significant milestone in Liberia’s quest to strengthen its institutional framework.

On her part, the Executive Director of EPA, Dr. Vohiri Anyaa, recalled that the EPA requested ECA support in 2013 to assist in policy review and analysis for decision making, awareness and advocacy in the area of climate change in Liberia. ECA responded positively and a joint project plan was developed encompassing technical and financial support to enable EPA build the country's resilience to climate change.

Representing ECA, the Director of the Special Initiatives Division, Ms Fatima Denton described climate change as Africa's newest challenge, with the propensity of derailing  African economies, and stakeholders must thus work together to address climate change issues. She commended efforts so far made by Liberia and the decision to formulate a climate change policy, strategy and implementation plan towards addressing the issues of climate and development in Liberia. At the ceremony, Ms. Denton then handed over office equipment, computers and a vehicle for use by EPA and gave assurance of ECA continued support.

During the consultative meeting with the ECA team, the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, reiterated that climate change is a serious challenge to development, not only for Liberia but Africa and the whole world. He voiced his realization after the Copenhagen Climate Summit that economic growth and sustainable development will falter in the absence of appropriate climate change interventions and environmental protection. He advocated for teaching of climate change issues in schools to inculcate an awareness culture from an early age as a strategy to avoid future catastrophes. He decried challenges posed by climate change in Africa, citing examples of rainfall shortage in Burkina Faso while in contrast Liberia is grappling with flooding, infrastructure damage and diseases caused by heavy rain.

The Vice President emphasized the importance of proactive planning to mitigate emerging climate change challenges and expressed his appreciation to ECA’s support to EPA in developing the “National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Plan for Liberia”.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 9th Aug 2014