BERLIN, Germany – Liberia has intensified its call for stronger international support for climate-vulnerable nations, with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel King Urey Yarkpawolo urging global leaders to move beyond policy discussions and invest directly in communities facing the growing impacts of climate change.
By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com
Speaking during the Second Berlin Climate Mobility Forum in Germany, Dr. Yarkpawolo outlined Liberia’s vision for addressing climate-induced displacement and environmental vulnerability, stressing that adaptation efforts must be driven by the realities facing ordinary citizens rather than solely by international policy frameworks.
The high-level gathering brought together government officials, climate experts, development partners, and international organizations from around the world to discuss the growing challenge of climate mobility and the need for coordinated action to assist communities threatened by rising sea levels, flooding, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events.
During the forum, Liberia endorsed the Climate Mobility Principles, joining a growing number of countries seeking to strengthen international cooperation on climate-related migration and adaptation. The endorsement also comes as Liberia prepares to launch a nationwide assessment process aimed at identifying climate-related risks and developing practical solutions tailored to local communities.
Addressing delegates, Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized that climate change is no longer a future threat but a present-day reality affecting livelihoods, food security, infrastructure, and public health across Liberia. He noted that many communities are already experiencing the effects of changing weather patterns, environmental degradation, and increased vulnerability to disasters.
According to the EPA Executive Director, Liberia’s participation in the global climate mobility initiative is intended to ensure that vulnerable populations are not left behind as governments and international institutions formulate adaptation strategies. He stressed that solutions must be informed by the experiences of the people most affected by climate impacts.
“Climate adaptation cannot succeed if the voices of vulnerable communities are absent from the decision-making process,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said. “The people living along our coastlines, in flood-prone communities, and in environmentally sensitive areas possess valuable knowledge about the challenges they face. Their experiences must guide the policies and investments we make.”
He disclosed that Liberia’s planned Climate Mobility Deep Dive initiative will involve consultations across multiple counties and communities to gather first-hand information about the challenges citizens face. The exercise, he explained, will help government institutions and development partners better understand the realities on the ground and design responses that are both practical and sustainable.
Dr. Yarkpawolo further stated that Liberia intends to use the findings from the nationwide consultations to strengthen climate planning, improve resilience-building programs, and support communities at risk of displacement due to environmental pressures. He described the initiative as one of the most comprehensive efforts undertaken by the country to assess climate mobility concerns.
“The objective is not simply to study climate mobility; it is to develop solutions that protect people, preserve livelihoods, and strengthen community resilience,” he said. “We want to ensure that future adaptation measures are based on evidence, informed by local realities, and capable of delivering meaningful results for affected populations.”
The EPA Executive Director also called for increased climate financing for developing countries, arguing that many vulnerable nations continue to face enormous resource constraints despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions. He said meaningful progress will require a fairer distribution of climate resources and stronger commitments from international partners.
According to Dr. Yarkpawolo, climate finance should prioritize local communities where the impacts of climate change are often most severe. He noted that while global funding commitments have increased over the years, many frontline communities still struggle to access the support needed to implement adaptation measures and strengthen resilience.
“Communities confronting the harsh realities of climate change every day should not have to compete endlessly for resources needed to protect lives and livelihoods,” he stated. “The international community must ensure that climate finance reaches the people who need it most and that funding mechanisms are simplified to allow vulnerable communities to benefit directly.”
He further emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, noting that climate challenges transcend national boundaries and require collective action among neighboring countries. Liberia, he said, remains committed to working with regional institutions and partner countries to address common environmental threats affecting West Africa.
Dr. Yarkpawolo highlighted the role of youth organizations, women’s groups, local authorities, researchers, and civil society institutions in shaping climate solutions, arguing that successful adaptation depends on broad participation and shared responsibility. He maintained that governments alone cannot effectively address climate challenges without the active involvement of all sectors of society.
