(Berlin, June 19, 2025)_For the first time in the nation’s history, Liberia is taking a bold and structured step to respond to the rising threat of climate-induced migration. On June 17, 2025, the Executive Director and CEO of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel King Urey Yarkpawolo, signed a landmark agreement at the Berlin Climate Mobility Forum, launching Liberia’s journey toward developing a National Climate Mobility Strategy.

The agreement paves the way for the EPA to conduct a comprehensive Climate Mobility Assessment—a major move that will examine how climate change is forcing people to relocate within Liberia and what policies must be put in place to protect them.

The signing took place during a high-level session at the Berlin forum, attended by global climate leaders, policymakers, and civil society actors. Liberia’s participation and leadership at the forum demonstrated not only its vulnerability but also its commitment to solutions.

“Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it is a current reality that is reshaping lives and livelihoods,” said Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo. “Through this agreement, we are committing to assess the scale and nature of climate-induced mobility and to craft a national strategy that safeguards vulnerable communities while ensuring sustainable development.”

The Climate Mobility Assessment will involve:

1.⁠ ⁠Gathering data on at-risk populations and areas.

2.⁠ ⁠Holding national and community consultations.

3.⁠ ⁠Mapping movement trends linked to environmental impacts.

4.⁠ ⁠Integrating climate mobility into disaster planning and development policies.

The findings will guide the creation of Liberia’s first-ever National Climate Mobility Strategy—a long-term plan that ensures those displaced by climate disasters are not forgotten or left behind.

Held under the theme “Pathways to Protection: Addressing Climate Mobility through Policy and Practice,” the Berlin Climate Mobility Forum gave Liberia a global stage to raise awareness and secure partnerships.

This move aligns with Liberia’s obligations under the Paris Agreement and shows that the country is not waiting for disaster to strike before taking action. Instead, it is stepping up, showing leadership, and preparing its systems and communities for the future.

“This is the first time in Liberia’s history that a focused, data-driven initiative will be undertaken to understand and address climate-induced migration. It is not just a policy move—it is a people-first strategy to ensure that climate justice reaches every corner of the country, “Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo added.

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