Monrovia, Liberia – July 16, 2025 – The Environmental Protection Agency Liberia has taken a major step toward enhancing its climate governance and reporting systems through a stakeholder consultation workshop for the second phase of the Capacity-Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) Project. The event, held at the Boulevard Hotel in Monrovia, brought together key actors from government ministries and agencies, civil society, development partners, and international organizations to shape the design of the CBIT Phase II project, officially titled “Strengthening the Capacity of Institutions in Liberia to Comply with the Transparency Requirements of the Paris Agreement.”

In the opening remarks, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia, emphasized the significance of this phase in moving the country toward a more coordinated and transparent climate data management system.

⁠“Our focus today is on strengthening the institutions and systems that allow Liberia to meet its transparency obligations under the Paris Agreement,” Dr. Yarkpawolo stated.

“The Paris Agreement is not just about reducing emissions, it’s about trust among nations through transparency. Every country, including Liberia, must be able to collect, manage, and report climate data accurately and regularly.”

He highlighted the accomplishments of CBIT Phase I, including the development of basic climate data systems and capacity building among key institutions. However, he stressed that Phase II would go beyond initial activities to establish a strong national framework capable of sustaining long-term reporting across all sectors.

The EPA boss outlined four major goals for CBIT Phase II:

1.⁠ ⁠Improving institutional arrangements for data collection and reporting;

2.⁠ ⁠Strengthening technical capacity across ministries and agencies to report on Liberia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs);

3.⁠ ⁠Making climate data more transparent and accessible;

4.⁠ ⁠Ensuring gender and social inclusion in climate reporting systems.

⁠“Transparency is no longer just a reporting requirement. It’s a strategic opportunity. The better we report, the better our chances of unlocking critical international support for our development and climate priorities,” Dr. Yarkpawolo added.

He also noted the importance of transparency in Liberia’s emerging carbon market policy.

For his part, Mr. Tim Bromficu, Vice President for Africa, Strategy and Delivery at Conservation International (CI), echoed the EPA Executive Director’s sentiments, describing the workshop as a timely and vital gathering.

⁠“This meeting is important; it will strengthen and give more understanding of greenhouse gas,” he said. “I encourage inclusive participation, including women and children, in Liberia’s climate action process.”

Mr. Bromficu emphasized CI’s long-term commitment to Liberia, noting that the organization has served as a Global Environment Facility (GEF) implementing partner since 2013. He expressed readiness to continue working alongside the government in advancing national development goals.

At the same time, Hon. Charles Umehai, Deputy Minister for Energy at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, also spoke at the event, underscoring the urgency of action over words in Liberia’s climate journey.

⁠“Climate is key for Liberia. We are expecting a positive outcome from this meeting,” Minister Umehai said. “Let’s work the talk and not only talk the talk.”

He thanked CI, the EPA, and other stakeholders for fostering cooperation that supports Liberia’s climate and development priorities.

The workshop served as a platform for dialogue on emissions monitoring, adaptation reporting, institutional coordination, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. Participants pledged to support the CBIT process and committed to continuous collaboration as Liberia moves forward in building a resilient, transparent, and climate-smart future.