Ganta, Nimba County, August – The Liberia National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS), housed at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has successfully concluded a two-day National Carbon Market Policy Dialogue in Ganta, Nimba County, aimed at shaping the country’s first-ever national carbon market policy.
The gathering, held from August 21–22, 2025, brought together government ministries, legislators, development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector, women and youth leaders, and academia to discuss the framework that will guide Liberia’s participation in the global carbon market.
Opening the dialogue, EPA Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, described climate change as one of the greatest challenges facing Liberia, already leaving devastating impacts across the country. He explained that the carbon market offers Liberia a dual opportunity—to protect its forests and environment while generating much-needed economic benefits.
Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo outlined four key issues that dominated discussions: ownership of carbon resources, equitable benefit-sharing, the choice of market model, and the establishment of transparent and accountable institutional arrangements to manage revenues. He noted that Liberia, through nationwide consultations and technical support from partners, has already drafted a national carbon market policy, which is expected to be finalized and presented at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, this November.
Deputy Minister for Economic Management at the Ministry of Finance, Hon. Dehpue Y. Zuo, representing the government, said the dialogue reflected President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s commitment to making natural capital central to Liberia’s development. He stressed the need for greater coordination and innovative financing solutions, such as blended financing and green bonds, to ensure Liberians benefit directly from the country’s natural wealth.
“We cannot own the largest share of the Upper Guinea Forest and still live in poverty,” Minister Zuo emphasized. “This new dispensation under President Boakai seeks to transform natural capital into growth, development, and opportunity for all Liberians.”
For his part, the Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Hon. Rudolf J. Merab, reminded participants that Liberia’s future depends on the responsible management of its natural resources, including the newly emerging carbon resource. He cautioned against dividing benefits among a few, warning that Liberia would risk losing its future gains if carbon is not managed inclusively.
The two-day dialogue featured several technical sessions. The first session discussed “Carbon in the Global Economy: Implications for Liberia,” stressing the need to treat carbon as a national asset. The second session reviewed Liberia’s existing climate-related policies, identifying gaps in enforcement and alignment with the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
The third session focused on strategic goals of a national carbon policy and its sectoral impacts on forestry, energy, agriculture, transport, biodiversity conservation, and waste management. The fourth session showcased global good practices in carbon governance, with case studies from Canada, Chile, and other international experiences that could be adapted to Liberia’s context.
At the close of the dialogue, the EPA, Ministry of Finance, FDA, and partners reaffirmed their commitment to an inclusive, transparent, and sustainable carbon market policy that will position Liberia as a regional leader in climate action while creating new opportunities for development and prosperity.
