EPA hosts environmental forum

The Executive Director of the Environment Protection Agency or EPA, AnyaaVohiri, will make special presentation at a one-day forum in Monrovia on natural resource from the perspective of the environment in Liberia as it relates to the Gaborone Declaration Agreement.

The forum, hosted by the EPA, will also include a high level Liberian Government officials and Environmental Delegation under the Gaborone Declaration Agreement. An EPA statement, issued in Monrovia Monday, indicated that the one-day formal discussions will highlight the implementation of the Agreement in the Country.

According to the EPA statement, the forum will seek to a present the proposed five outcomes to be pursued under the Gaborone declaration. It will also Present factual baseline information collected, regarding national ongoing initiatives contributing to the Gaborone Declaration action statements, Identify country priorities and how the secretariat can support them, as well as encourage the appointment focal points for countries that have not yet done so, and Introduce the secretariat, among others.

The Gaborone Declaration ensures that the contribution of natural capital to sustainable economic growth, maintenance and improvement of social capital and human well-being, are quantified and integrated into development and business practice.

The Foreign Minister of Liberia, Augustine K. Ngafuan, will deliver a special statement on Liberia’s position at the opening of the meeting, while Finance and Development Planning Minister Amara Konneh, will address the participants on behalf of the Liberian Government at the close of the meeting.

It can be recalled that in May 2012, Liberia, Botswana, Ghana, Namibia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Rwanda, Gabon, Kenya and South Africa signed the Gaborone Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to implement all conventions and declarations that promote sustainable development.

Members of the Environmental Delegation in Liberia are Mr. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Senior Policy Advisor, Conservation International, Mr. Jaco Venter, Senior Technical Director, GDSA Secretariat, Madam Margarita Mora, Regional Manager for Latin America, Conservation Stewards Program and Madam Lina Barrera, Senior Director, International policy, Conservation International.