Stakeholders working on climate change and the environment in Liberia have been debating the COP28 decision more intensely in light of the growing worldwide effort to address climate change.
The discussion is being initiated by the Liberian Youth for Climate Actions- (LYCA), a non for profit environmental organization in Liberia.
The Post-COP28 Multi Stakeholders Conference seeks to provide a forum for educated discourse and cooperative planning by empowering and organizing youth and transforming talks into concrete proposals for a more sustainable future.
With a review of all the agreements and promises made during COP28 and an identification of all the new options that Liberian youths can investigate for sustainable actions, this effort aims to increase the role of youth in pushing good change in the political landscape following the conference.
About 25 participants from academia, NGOs, government agencies, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) came together for an interactive dialogue among young people to form a body that will highlight COP28, its results and significance, as well as its full implementation and benefits to Liberia as a nation.
Ezekiel Nyanfor, Executive Director, LYCA explained the importance of the initiative to Liberia. “To meaningfully increase awareness and knowledge of youth about climate change activities, the Unpacking the UAE Consensus. The 28th Conference of Parties saw the conclusion of the first Global Stock-take under the Paris Agreement.
This also sent a strong message about the necessity of moving away from fossil fuels as the primary driver of climate change, albeit with some ambiguities and lack of clarity regarding other areas of climate action (financing and adaptation).
it is important to focus on domestic execution of the next cycle of commitments (NDCs) by 2025, which will involve rethinking the conferences’ future and promoting international cooperation.
Annually, the government participates in these conferences to deliberate on matters pertaining to climate change, environmental conservation, and what is known as the largest global climate change, Cop28. It was the second greatest gathering from the UNGA, with over 41,000 individuals attending the summit last year.
He mentioned LYCA, a young organization that has been organizing events like the post-COP26 gathering that was supported by Action Aid Liberia. Ezekiel revealed that during the meeting, participants were able to talk about matters pertaining to the way in which international partners may help Liberia fight climate change by spearheading solutions.
A specific information section on the role of non-stake players and their responsibility to keep world leaders accountable and hold them to account for achieving the best result at COP28 are among the other subjects that were covered.Liberian youth at COP28, the impact, experiences and lesion learnt how young people can prepare themselves to attend these international conferences.
Faith C. Smith, Gender Advocacy and Communication Coordinator, noted that over the years women have been victimized when it comes to environmental issues. She added that promoting women right it is not only a social justices issues, but we also need to push for global combatting climate change.
Faith C. Smith, Gender Advocacy and Communication Coordinator
Ms. Smith: “We must also ensure that women has access to resources that these women are lobbying for from their different areas is also an environmental stead-ward that benefit struggling countries like Liberia.”
EPA Arthur R.M Becker, EPA Project Officer, Department of Multilateral Environmental Agreement, believe that in as much as the government participated in the Cop28 in the UAE, acknowledging that it is good to reflect on the outcome because it helps to accelerate what is require in terms of the full implementation outcome. “As a government we are committed to ensure that all of the outcome from COP28 are actualized. We cannot do it along as a government it requires a collective efforts and support of the verse majority of the population.”
Mr. Becker highlighted the pivotal role the young people of Liberia of Liberia play in achieving this, the international development partners, the private sector and the media which plays a pivotal role in achieving our goal as a government and people.
The timing of this meeting couldn’t have been more ideal, particularly as we approach the mid-term review of the UN framework convention process, which takes place in a few weeks from June 3 to June 15. The agenda for COP29 will be decided during this meeting, which is the 60th edition of the German subsidiary body.
A few of the COP28 reflections will also be emphasized at that event. This will determine the agenda for this year’s COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Liberia is a formidable part of the parties of the United Nations framework convention on climate change and therefore, we are poise to do everything possible to ensure that what we have committed to as a country must be able to full file it to our best.
European Union Deputy Head of Mission-Liberia, Anders Anderson, highlighted the key role that youths play in addressing climate change. “I therefore agree with the statement that was made at the outcome of COP28 outcome which says that we need to work together to solve this challenge.”
Anderson said: “We need a renew commitment to multilateralism a renew spirit to multilateralism to response collectively to the challenges we face.” According to him, climate adaptation is becoming increasingly important in Liberia and that is why the EU stands in solidarity and working in partnership with countries all around the world dedicating a records amount of money to international climate finance
