Samarkand, Uzbekistan — May 30, 2026: A high-level Liberian delegation is participating in the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the 71st Meeting of the GEF Council in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The 8th GEF Assembly is being held from May 30 to June 6, 2026, while the 71st GEF Council Meeting is scheduled from May 31 to June 3, 2026. According to the GEF, the Council meeting brings together country representatives to consider policies, strategic directions, work programs, and financing decisions under the GEF family of funds. The Assembly, which is the highest governing body of the GEF, convenes every four years and brings together the GEF’s 186 member countries to discuss global environmental priorities, financing solutions, and partnerships for addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, chemicals and waste, and other major environmental challenges. (thegef.org)
Liberia’s participation is significant because the country continues to benefit from GEF support in the areas of climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, coastal defense, sustainable land management, and improved environmental governance. The GEF remains one of Liberia’s most important multilateral partners for mobilizing grants and technical support to address urgent environmental and climate challenges.
As part of the ongoing meetings, Liberia participated in the West African Constituency Meeting, where countries within the constituency discussed common priorities, challenges, and positions ahead of the Council deliberations. Liberia was represented by Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia and Operational Focal Point for the GEF; Mr. Benjamin Karmorh, Chief Technical Advisor; and Mr. Desmond Thompson, Alternative Operational Focal Point.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo expressed Liberia’s appreciation to the GEF for its continued support to the country. He informed the gathering that Liberia is currently implementing a US$10 million coastal defense project and that, this week, the country launched another US$10 million project supporting agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and related biodiversity initiatives.
Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo also raised concern about the GEF’s high co-financing expectation, noting that the current 7:1 co-financing ratio means that for every US$1 provided by the GEF, a beneficiary country is expected to demonstrate US$7 in co-financing. He emphasized that such a requirement is very high for vulnerable and least developed countries like Liberia, which are already facing serious fiscal constraints while responding to climate change, coastal erosion, biodiversity loss, and other environmental threats. The GEF indicated that the matter would be looked into.
Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo also highlighted the urgency of sea level rise and associated sea erosion. He emphasized that Liberia’s coastal cities and communities are all threatened by sea erosion, and urged the GEF to consider including sea level rise and coastal erosion in future planning.

The Liberian delegation reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the GEF and ensuring that GEF-funded projects deliver direct benefits to communities, ecosystems, and national development priorities. Liberia will continue to advocate for financing arrangements that recognize the special circumstances of least developed countries, especially those on the frontlines of climate change.
The Council meeting will continue tomorrow, with further discussions expected on financing, programming priorities, and strategic directions for future GEF support.
Signed:
Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia