New York, USA – The Executive Director of Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, participated as a panelist in a high-level dialogue on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The panel, titled “Breaking Silos: Uniting Policy, Finance, and Action for Mangroves,” focused on bridging the gaps between policy, finance, and actionable steps toward mangrove conservation.
During his presentation, Dr. Yarkpawolo underscored the critical importance of mangrove conservation and highlighted Liberia’s ambitious goals within its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). He emphasized that Liberia is committed to expanding national policies and incentives aimed at increasing mangrove and coastal conservation efforts. This includes the restoration of marine ecosystems through the establishment of two marine protected areas.
Dr. Yarkpawolo noted that the government, in collaboration with local and international partners, has successfully reinforced Lake Piso as a protected area and multiple-use reserve, enhancing mangrove conservation efforts. He also shared that Liberia is on the verge of completing the Marshall Wetlands conservation project, which will further protect this high-value mangrove ecosystem.
In his remarks, Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized the broader significance of mangroves beyond their conservation. “We often think about preserving or conserving mangroves as if they are victims,” he stated. “But that is not the case. We should think about how we can help mangroves save us, as humanity cannot survive without wetlands, including mangroves.”
The event, hosted by the Mangrove Breakthrough initiative, aimed to break down silos between policy, finance, and on-the-ground action in order to drive transformative change in mangrove conservation. Mangrove Breakthrough, an ambitious multi-stakeholder initiative, seeks to unlock $4 billion in funding and secure the future of 15 million hectares of mangrove forests by 2030. As part of the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda and the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA), the initiative provides a framework for halting mangrove loss, restoring recent damage, doubling protections, and ensuring long-term sustainable finance.
The side event brought together leaders from governments, finance, the private sector, and philanthropic organizations to explore strategies for mobilizing resources and creating synergies in mangrove action. By uniting these diverse stakeholders, the Mangrove Breakthrough initiative seeks to ensure a future where mangrove ecosystems thrive and continue to provide essential services to both people and the planet.
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