By Ethel A. Tweh
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) commenced a four-day workshop on Tuesday, 13 February 2024 in Monrovia.
EPA Executive Director Prof. Wilson K. Tarpeh said the workshop is part of GEF Country Support Program, including participants from Benin, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Togo.
According to him, the workshop will bring together representatives from civil society, the GEF Secretariat, and GEF Agencies.
Its focal points are biodiversity, desertification, climate change, and chemical conventions to discuss activities with global environmental benefits.
He noted that the event presents an opportunity for GEF national actors to meet with their counterparts from other countries in the region, staff from the GEF Secretariat, the GEF Agencies, and other GEF partners to share lessons and experiences from the development and the implementation of GEF projects and their integration within national policy frameworks.
He added that the event is also intended to encourage coordination among national officials and allow better understanding among constituency members.
The ECW is an annual event organized by the GEF Secretariat. It includes participation for representatives from each country, GEF Political Focal Point, GEF Operational Focal Point, three of the four national Convention Focal Points Convention on Biodiversity, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Stockholm Convention. The ECW is also attended by representatives from Civil Society Organizations.
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For his part, the Minister of Agriculture J. Alexander Nuetah applauded GEF for its contributions to improving the natural environment, promoting and protecting biodiversity, addressing climate change, and responding to other environmental issues in Liberia and the region through the Small Grants Program, the Least Developed Country Fund, and STAR Allocation.
He said that the Government of Liberia is particularly grateful for the resources invested by GEF in Liberia over the years and applauds GEF for the recent endorsement of a Project Preparatory Grant of US$200,000.00 for the preparation of a 10-million-dollar proposal to strengthen agricultural resilience in Liberia.
Minister Nuetah said that these investments are having an impact on vulnerable populations and communities in Liberia that are increasingly impacted by climate change and other environmental issues but more needs to be done.
He also noted the important role Liberia plays as a biodiversity hotspot and carbon sink, which presents an economic challenge for the country.
He stressed the need for increased investments in nature-based livelihoods, restoration of degraded landscapes, and addressing climate change and biodiversity in communities across the country.
He noted that the ECW convening in Liberia presents an opportunity to discuss and review new policies and procedures related to the current GEF cycle, encourage and enhance coordination among GEF partners, exchange lessons, knowledge, and experience about GEF projects, and analyze different aspects of GEF work.
He stressed that these conversations are necessary to increase understanding of GEF strategies and policies and help the government and other stakeholders make informed decisions on participation and coordination in the various GEF initiatives so that the maximum benefits are derived.
The Agriculture Minister highlighted that the Government of Liberia is interested in exploring how it can continue to leverage experiences and opportunities for engaging with GEF to enhance benefits for the people of Liberia.
He then declared the Expanded Constituency Workshop officially opened.
For her part, the representative of GEF Madam Susan Waithaka said that she is delighted to be part of the workshop and interact with members from different countries. She said this meeting should have been held since September 2023.
