Legislative and Executive Branches meet over Paris deal

Ahigh level consultative forum between members of the Legislative and Executive branches of Government aimed at discussing the ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sustainable development Goals(SDGs), ended in Monrovia Friday with a plea from President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to the National Legislature to consider the endorsement and timely ratification of the Paris Agreement document.

President Sirleaf told the leaderships of the House of Representatives and the Senate, that Liberia attended and participated in formulating the Paris Agreement and formed a part of the decision that she is requesting ratification by the National Legislature.

President Sirleaf pledged to work with the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), to give other technical details of the agreement and praised the EPA for the work done so far. Earlier, the Executive Director of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Madam AnyaaVohiri, said the seventeen (17) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are intended to address the development of mankind that includes, balancing environmental, economic and social dimensions of life.

She said Liberia as a country will achieve sustainable development, combat climate change and alleviate poverty through the accessing of the needed funds with the ratification of the Paris Document.

Madam Vohiri also noted, that strengthening national institutions like the EPA and the National Climate Change Steering Committee is vital in the implementation and domestication of the Paris Agreement when ratified and the Sustainable Development Goals agenda.

She extolled President Sirleaf for submitting the Paris Agreement to the National Legislature for timely endorsement and ratification.  Also speaking was the president Protempt of the Liberian Senate, Gbarpolu County Senator ArmahJallah. Senator Jallah thanked President Sirleaf for convening the meeting to discuss issues of vital global concern and promised that the senate will give the needed support for the successful implementation of the agreement.

For his part, the Presiding Officer at the House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Hans Barchue was emphatic that, under his gavel, the House will pass any document that seeks the welfare of the Liberian People. Twenty seven member countries have already ratified the Paris Agreement.

The Paris Agreement amongst other things, calls for holding the increase in the global average temperature below two degree Celsius above pre-industrial level and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to one point five degree Celsius above pre-industrial level, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.

It also considers increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production as well as making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate resilient development.

Additionally, the agreement seeks to assist developing country parties in identifying effective adaptation practices, adaptation needs, priorities, provide support and receive adaptation actions and efforts as well as improving the effectiveness and durability of adaptation actions.

The meeting was attended by members and heads of statutory committees of the National Legislature as well members of the cabinet and a team of technicians from the Environment Protection Agency amongst others.