By: Joseph Kerkula
The Government of Liberia, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its development partners, is set to host a two-day National Dialogue on the Carbon Market in the country.
The important event will take place from August 21 to 22, 2025, in Ganta City, Nimba County.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) regular press briefing on Tuesday, EPA Executive Director Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo disclosed that the dialogue aims to engage key national stakeholders on Liberia’s involvement in the global carbon market.
The forum is expected to bring together a wide range of participants, including county superintendents, civil society organizations (CSOs), women’s groups, youth and student organizations, traditional leaders, private sector actors, and international partners.
According to Mr. Yarkpawolo, the dialogue is part of the government’s broader strategy to promote climate action, forest conservation, and sustainable development through market-based mechanisms.
He emphasized that the carbon market presents a valuable opportunity for Liberia to finance climate-related initiatives while supporting communities that depend on forests for their livelihoods.
“The carbon market has become a critical tool for financing public action aimed at protecting our forests and supporting sustainable development. Liberia has immense potential to benefit from this mechanism,” Yarkpawolo stated.
The event will also provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss Liberia’s readiness, legal frameworks, potential benefits, and concerns surrounding carbon trading.
Additionally, participants will explore how carbon finance can contribute to the country’s climate goals under the Paris Agreement and its national development agenda.
Liberia, home to a significant portion of the Upper Guinean rainforest, has long been recognized for its rich biodiversity and vital carbon sinks.
With increasing global interest in carbon credits, the government seeks to ensure that communities, especially those in forested regions, are well-informed and actively involved in the process.
The EPA and partners hope that the National Dialogue will lay the groundwork for a transparent, inclusive, and sustainable carbon market framework in Liberia.
