Reported by: Edwin Khakie
BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County, August 11, 2026 — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun a national process to determine how Liberia will implement the High Seas Treaty, with government officials and key stakeholders meeting in Buchanan to review the country’s readiness and develop a clear plan for protecting its marine resources and benefiting from the growing global blue economy. The two-day National Validation Workshop opened Tuesday at the K-Plaza Hotel in Buchanan City and brought together about 35 representatives from government ministries and agencies, the National Legislature, development partners, academia, civil society, local communities and the media.
The workshop is being held under the GEF Enabling Activities Project, with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and technical assistance from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The meeting comes more than a year after Liberia ratified the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, commonly known as the BBNJ or High Seas Treaty. “Ratification Is Only the Beginning.”
Speaking on behalf of EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Project Liaison Officer and GEF Alternate Focal Point Desmond T. Thompson said Liberia must now move beyond ratification and focus on practical implementation. “Ratification is only the beginning,” Thompson said. “Our task now is to determine how to implement the Agreement effectively and ensure that Liberia’s interests are adequately represented and protected,” he added.
Thompson said Liberia took part in the international negotiations that led to the adoption of the agreement on June 19, 2023, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Liberia signed the agreement on September 24, 2024, and later began efforts to build national support for its ratification. With support from the GEF and UNEP, the EPA held legislative engagement meetings with members of the Senate and House of Representatives in Buchanan.
EPA Assesses Liberia’s Readiness
Following ratification, the EPA recruited a national consultant to assess Liberia’s readiness to implement the treaty. The assessment examines existing institutions, laws and regulations, progress made so far and areas where Liberia still faces gaps. It also looks at marine genetic resources, benefit-sharing, marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, capacity building and the transfer of marine technology. Traditional knowledge and the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities are also part of the assessment.
Thompson said Liberia needs stronger coordination among government institutions, better laws and regulations, improved scientific and technical skills, stronger data systems and sustainable financing if the country is to effectively implement the agreement. He urged participants to carefully review the assessment and ensure that it reflects Liberia’s needs and priorities before it is finalized. “We Are Not Here Simply to Endorse a Document”
Assistant Minister for International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Daniel Kokoi Jr., said Liberia must treat the High Seas Treaty as more than an international commitment.
“As a coastal nation with valuable marine and fishery resources, Liberia has a direct stake in ensuring that the world’s oceans are sustainably managed and protected for both current and future generations,” Kokoi said.
He said Liberia must ensure that its participation in the treaty produces real benefits for the country, including stronger institutions, scientific cooperation, technology, knowledge and sustainable management of marine resources.“We are not here simply to endorse a document,” Kokoi said. He called on participants to identify gaps in the assessment, raise concerns and make practical recommendations that can guide Liberia’s next steps.
Blue Economy Opportunities
Kokoi said the treaty could give Liberia an opportunity to strengthen its role in the emerging global blue economy. He identified scientific research, technology transfer, international cooperation, capacity building and access to knowledge as areas where Liberia could benefit. But he warned that such opportunities will only be realized if Liberia develops the capacity to participate effectively. He called for stronger cooperation among the ministries and institutions responsible for foreign affairs, fisheries, environment, maritime affairs, justice, agriculture, national security, scientific research and education.
According to Kokoi, Liberia’s implementation strategy should be built around national ownership, institutional coordination and capacity development. He said Liberia’s international commitments must be translated into practical policies, laws, institutional structures, training programs and sustainable funding. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he added, will continue working with national institutions and international partners to ensure that Liberia’s international commitments support the country’s national development priorities.
Stakeholders Seek Clear Roadmap
The workshop is expected to produce recommendations for improving the Initial Assessment Report and establishing a clear national roadmap for Liberia’s continued engagement with the High Seas Treaty. Participants are expected to examine Liberia’s current capacity, identify weaknesses and propose steps to strengthen the country’s ability to protect marine biodiversity and participate in decisions concerning ocean resources beyond national borders. For Liberia, officials say the challenge now is not simply becoming a party to the treaty, but ensuring that the agreement translates into stronger protection of marine resources, better opportunities for coastal communities and meaningful economic benefits for the country.
