Monrovia – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has welcomed a delegation from the Environment Protection Agency of Sierra Leone for a 3-day Peer-to-peer learning exchange, running from June 19-21, 2024.

The aim of the visit is to enhance Sierra Leone’s understanding of Climate Transparency processes under the Paris Agreement, drawing on best practices and lessons from Liberia’s implementation of the Capacity Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) from 2018-2021.

Liberia’s CBIT Project, titled “Building and Strengthening Liberia’s National Capacity to Implement the Transparency Elements of the Paris Agreement,” was jointly implemented by the EPA Liberia and Conservation International (CI), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Similarly, Sierra Leone’s Environment Protection Agency is implementing the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) in collaboration with UN Environment, also funded by the Global Environment Facility, ending on June 30, 2024.

Upon their arrival in Liberia, the Sierra Leone team first met with EPA Liberia’s Executive Director/CEO and Senior Management at the Agency’s headquarters on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, for an introductory meeting to outline the purpose of their visit. They were warmly received by EPA Liberia’s senior staff, led by Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo.

During their visit, Liberia’s EPA organized a one-day technical meeting on June 20, 2024, at the Bella Casa Hotel in Monrovia. The meeting gathered 24 government experts to present achievements, challenges, and lessons from both countries’ CBIT projects. Liberia showcased its methodologies for greenhouse gas data collection, crucial for developing National Communications and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR), and provided updates on its Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) processes.

Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, EPA Liberia’s Executive Director/CEO, emphasized Liberia’s commitment to transforming its governance under the President’s ARREST Agenda. He highlighted the importance of aligning global climate finances with Liberia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) through revising EPA’s strategic plan.

Dr. Yarkpawolo further underscored the shared needs and interests between Liberia and Sierra Leone, urging integrity in environmental practices to combat longstanding corruption that impedes progress.

The Sierra Leone delegation, including Madam Lovetta Y. Juanah, Emmanuel During, Frances Smith, and Ishmael K. Dumbuya, expressed gratitude to EPA Liberia for hosting and facilitating their mission.

In closing remarks, Mr. Arthur R.M. Becker from EPA Liberia highlighted the visit’s potential to foster future collaboration between both countries on climate reporting and integrated climate action under the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF). He thanked the Sierra Leone team and anticipated ongoing partnerships.

The technical meeting concluded with a plenary discussion on strengthening Enhanced Transparency Framework reporting processes to develop National Communications, Biennial Transparency Reports, and MRV systems for both Liberia and Sierra Leone under the Paris Agreement.