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By LAEJN Environmental Analyst
Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County: In a renewed effort to strengthen its climate resilience and mitigation strategies, Liberia has commenced a technical review of its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0). Environmental stakeholders, policymakers, and technical experts have gathered in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County, for a two-day consultative workshop centered on the theme “Enhancing, Coordinating, Monitoring, and Reporting on Liberia’s Implementation.”
At the opening session, Spencer S. Salime, a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), underscored the strategic importance of this exercise. He emphasized that the technical review of Liberia’s NDC is essential in preparing the country to submit a comprehensive and robust commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Salime asserted, “The NDC represents Liberia’s proactive contribution to global climate mitigation efforts, clearly signaling to the international community our seriousness in addressing climate change challenges.”
Analyzing the significance of the NDC, Salime highlighted its dual role as a national commitment and an international communication instrument. He emphasized that meticulous review and strategic planning through NDC 3.0 will enable Liberia to align its domestic climate actions more effectively with global ambitions and standards, thereby positioning itself as a resilient partner in international climate diplomacy.
Dweh Siehwioh Boley, Sr., Deputy Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reinforced the government’s stance on climate action. He described the NDC as “a pivotal roadmap,” vital to transitioning Liberia towards a sustainable and resilient future characterized by low-carbon development. Boley stressed that the collective expertise assembled at the workshop represents an opportunity to ensure the NDC strategies are grounded in technical excellence and sector-specific insights.
“This gathering marks a decisive turning point in our climate action agenda, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange,” Boley noted, adding that the technical inputs will significantly strengthen Liberia’s position in global climate negotiations.
Reaffirming inter-ministerial collaboration, Assistant Foreign Minister Daniel Kwekwe conveyed Foreign Minister Sara Beslow Nyante’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s implementation of multilateral environmental frameworks and environmental diplomacy. This collaborative stance underscores the importance of coordinated efforts among government entities in addressing complex global environmental challenges.
Liberia’s Nationally Determined Contributions are part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement, a global pact involving 191 nations aiming to restrict temperature increases to “well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels,” with aspirational targets to limit the increase to 1.5°C. Regular five-year reviews of NDCs ensure alignment with evolving scientific insights and global climate objectives.
The workshop attracted the participation of approximately 140 delegates representing government ministries, non-governmental organizations, youth representatives, and civil society groups, reflecting a wide-ranging national commitment to effective climate action and sustainable development.
