Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia has joined the rest of the globe in observing globe Biodiversity Day. Liberia’s biodiversity needs to be protected since it is the home of numerous distinctive species that support countless lives, according to Dr. Anniker Hillers of the Chimpanzee Foundation, who was speaking at an organized program to commemorate the day.
The International Day for Biodiversity was recently observed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and allies, and Dr. Hiller made the remark in her keynote speech. While Liberia’s topic for this year was “Take Action to Protect Biodiversity,” the global theme for this year is “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity.”
In the outset of her keynote address, Dr. Hiller stressed the significance of the event and the necessity for everyone to contribute to maintaining Liberia’s biodiversity. According to her, to protect some of the world’s remaining biodiversity, the Kunming-Montreal Diversity Framework, adopted at COP 15 in Canada in December 2022, must be rapidly implemented by all significant parties.
Dr. Anniker Hillers asserted that the rest of the world is unaware of the genuine diversity present in Liberia because it is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots and is so distinctive and diversified. Liberia is home to more than 40% of the world’s biodiversity hotspots for the Upper Guinea Forest, and these regions represent many endangered and endemic species’ only remaining habitats that are specific to this region of the world.
She added that Rules and laws safeguarding biodiversity shouldn’t be compromised for political or personal motives, and women should be involved because they are crucial to maintaining biodiversity.
In 2000, the UN General Assembly declared May 22 as International Day for Biodiversity (IDB). The day was chosen to commemorate the CBD’s first adoption on May 22, 1992. Almost every nation, including Liberia, is represented at the convention as a result of its efforts.
Working with the populace, who mostly recognize the importance of the process, the sector has had some success throughout the years protecting Liberia’s biodiversity by emulating the work of UN agencies and other foreign partners. The goal of the day is to encourage the preservation of biodiversity and increase awareness of the life’s beginnings. UNDP-SGP-GEP All grantees were all in attendance in commemoration of the day.
Madam Frances Seydou, the Manager for Inter-Sectoral Coordination at EPA, provided a summary of the International Day for Biodiversity.
During the day’s sessions at a penal discussion, experts from the EPA, FDA, SCNL, TNC, UNDP, Eco Health Alliance, CI, EPA, UL Faculty, and FFI discussed issues, chances, and possible directions. They all presented the problems, possibilities, and solutions in the same order. Some of the difficulties addressed by the panelists were the application of the regulations as intended, greatly inhibited effective execution owing to sustainability and economic viability and boosting partners’ capacity to protect our biodiversity.
Despite numerous obstacles, Liberia continues to protect the vast majority of its conserved species, discovers new species that will endure for future generations, and joins other countries in ratifying the vast majority of the treaties that preserve biodiversity. This shows Liberia’s dedication to protecting life.
The panel discussion suggested solution will be used for education, and assistance for organizations working to protect a sizable portion of the world’s endangered species while promoting biodiversity.
The executive director of the EPA, Prof. Wilson Tapeh, acknowledged the importance of the species that make up biodiversity and support life in Liberia and praised the Liberian government and its partners for supporting efforts to protect them.
He encouraged international partners to make sure that larger corporations and industries in wealthy countries, which are causing the environment to be destroyed, pay for creating livelihoods for developing countries trying to safeguard the world’s biodiversity.
Prof. Tapeh also urged all Liberians to support the just cause. He noted that the fact that the food one eats and the medications use to keep health are made by many species that make it evident why it is important to safeguard biodiversity.
Students serving as biodiversity ambassadors, national and international partners all attended the event.
Reported by: Andrew C. Johnson
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