MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has convened a one-day national preparatory meeting for members of Liberia’s delegation to the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), scheduled for November 9–20, 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye.
The meeting, held Friday at the Corina Hotel on Tubman Boulevard in Monrovia, brought together representatives of government ministries, agencies and commissions, development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, youth and women’s groups, technical experts and members of Liberia’s national delegation.
The meeting is being held under the theme, “Strengthening Liberia’s Climate Negotiation Priorities, National Coordination and Strategic Engagement at COP31.” It aims to strengthen national coordination, harmonize Liberia’s negotiating positions and prepare delegates for effective engagement in the global climate discussions.
Delivering the official welcome remarks on behalf of the Executive Director of the EPA, Dr. Emmanuel King Urey Yarkpawolo, the Agency’s Director for Multilateral Environmental Agreements, Mr. Arthur R.M. Becker, emphasized the importance of a coordinated national approach to Liberia’s participation in COP31.
Mr. Becker said climate change is a national development challenge that requires collective action, stressing that Liberia’s engagement at the conference must reflect its development priorities, national circumstances and the urgent needs of vulnerable communities.
He noted that COP31 presents an important opportunity for Liberia to advance its climate priorities, particularly in securing increased, accessible, predictable and grant-based climate finance to support adaptation and resilience-building.
He also highlighted the need to strengthen the implementation of Liberia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Adaptation Plan, improve early-warning systems, protect coastal and freshwater ecosystems, promote climate-smart agriculture, develop climate-resilient infrastructure and safeguard the livelihoods of vulnerable populations.
Mr. Becker further stressed the importance of ensuring that women, children, young people, persons with disabilities and rural communities are meaningfully considered in national climate policies and investments.
On loss and damage, he called for effective support mechanisms that respond to the needs of countries and communities experiencing severe climate impacts. He also underscored the importance of environmental integrity, transparency, national ownership and fair benefit-sharing in discussions surrounding carbon markets and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Mr. Becker encouraged delegates to maintain strong coordination with the African Group of Negotiators and the Least Developed Countries Group, noting that these platforms provide important opportunities for countries with shared climate challenges to advance their collective interests.
He reminded participants that the success of Liberia’s participation should not be measured by the size of its delegation or the number of meetings attended, but by the quality of its engagement, partnerships established, resources mobilized and the contribution of COP31 outcomes to national climate action.
Providing an overview of the UNFCCC, Benjamin S. Karmorh Jr., Liberia’s National Focal Point to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), provided participants with an overview of the international climate framework and Liberia’s role in global climate negotiations.
He highlighted the importance of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement in guiding international efforts to address climate change, while explaining how countries work together through the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) to negotiate decisions, strengthen commitments and mobilize support for climate action.
Mr. Karmorh also discussed Liberia’s engagement in the international climate negotiation process, emphasizing the need for the country to understand key negotiation issues, identify its national interests and actively participate in discussions that affect its climate priorities.
He further underscored the importance of coordination among government institutions and other national stakeholders to ensure that Liberia speaks with a common voice and effectively advances its positions during international climate negotiations.
His presentation formed part of the technical sessions designed to strengthen delegates’ understanding of the UNFCCC process and prepare them for meaningful participation at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
Through this engagement, participants are expected to gain a clearer understanding of the relationship between international climate decisions and Liberia’s national commitments, particularly in advancing climate adaptation, mitigation, climate finance and resilience-building efforts.
The preparatory meeting is expected to produce practical outcomes, including a common understanding of the key negotiation issues, consolidated national priorities, clearer responsibilities for delegates and improved arrangements for communication, reporting and follow-up before, during and after the conference.
Liberia’s participation at COP31 comes at a critical time as the country continues efforts to address climate vulnerabilities, mobilize international support and implement its national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The conference will take place at the Antalya Expo Center in Aksu, Antalya, Türkiye, where governments and other stakeholders will gather to deliberate on global climate action, financing, adaptation, mitigation and international cooperation.
Through the national preparatory process, the Government of Liberia seeks to ensure that its delegation approaches COP31 with a unified national position, clear negotiating priorities and a strong commitment to advancing the country’s environmental and sustainable development interests.
