Monrovia — Delegates of the Thinkers Youth Summit Model United Nations (TYSMUN) 2026 have concluded a high-level engagement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia, presenting a formally adopted climate resolution while calling for increased national investment in youth diplomacy and leadership development.
By Patience M. Jones
The engagement followed an official study visit to the EPA as part of TYSMUN’s broader academic and diplomatic programming, aimed at bridging theoretical simulations with real-world governance systems.
During the visit, delegates interacted with senior officials of the Agency, gaining firsthand insight into Liberia’s environmental governance framework, national climate policy priorities and ongoing sustainability initiatives.
The delegation expressed appreciation to Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the EPA and the Agency’s senior management team for their institutional support and openness to youth engagement.
The interaction provided an opportunity for participants to seek clarity on key environmental and climate governance issues deliberated during their United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) simulation sessions.
Speaking on the significance of the visit, TYSMUN Chief Convener, Amos Fallah Samuka, noted that the engagement enhanced the delegates’ learning experience by exposing them to practical policy processes beyond committee discussions.
A major highlight of the visit was the formal presentation of the TYSMUN 2026 UNFCCC Committee Resolution, adopted during the General Assembly Closing Plenary under the theme: “Just Transition in Global Climate Action: Myth or Reality?”
In response, Dr. Yarkpawolo commended the depth, structure and relevance of the resolution, emphasizing the critical role of dialogue, compromise, and consensus-building in international climate negotiations.
He observed that while such negotiations are often complex, meaningful agreements can be achieved through sustained diplomatic engagement and collective responsibility.
He further indicated that the resolution could serve as a valuable reference for climate negotiators and technical experts within the Agency where applicable.
TYSMUN organizers also acknowledged the EPA’s logistical support to the summit, particularly its contribution to facilitating transportation for delegates during their study tour and cultural heritage visits across Monrovia.
In a related development, TYSMUN 2026 announced the launch of a post-summit initiative titled the Post-Thinkers Youth Summit Model United Nations: Specialized Diplomatic Exposure & Internship Program.
The four-month initiative is designed to transition at least ten outstanding delegates from simulation-based learning into supervised, real-world diplomatic and foreign service engagement, subject to funding availability.
The program will be implemented in three phases:
Phase I: A one-month intensive training in diplomatic protocol, international law, foreign policy analysis, multilateral negotiations, climate diplomacy and regional frameworks including ECOWAS and the African Union.
Phase II: A three-month internship placement within Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or designated diplomatic missions, providing hands-on experience in policy research, bilateral and multilateral engagements and consular operations.
Phase III: A final evaluation and certification phase, with participants receiving recognition jointly from COYASOR and, where applicable, endorsement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Samuka, the initiative aims to build a sustainable pipeline of skilled young Liberian diplomats while strengthening youth participation in diplomacy, regional cooperation, and international development processes, including ECOWAS frameworks, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UNFCCC.
The combined impact of TYSMUN 2026 and the newly launched diplomatic program reflects a growing national commitment to empowering youth for leadership roles in governance and global engagement.
