The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia marked the close of 2024 with a celebration that highlighted its achievements and plans for the future. The event, attended by employees and key stakeholders on Friday, December 20, 2024, recognized the agency’s progress under the leadership of its Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel King Urey Yarkpawolo.

Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo addressed the audience, reflecting on the year’s successes and challenges. He praised the collective efforts of the EPA team and its partners for the agency’s accomplishments.

“This year was pivotal for the EPA,” he said. “We tackled pollution, improved climate resilience, and strengthened environmental policies. These achievements are a result of hard work and teamwork.”

Key Achievements of 2024

Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo outlined several major accomplishments during his speech:

✓ Fighting Pollution: The EPA launched a nationwide campaign against illegal dumping and created waste management systems in both cities and rural areas.

✓ Climate Change Adaptation: The agency secured international support to implement projects that helped vulnerable communities adapt to climate change. Thousands of Liberians benefited from these initiatives.

✓ Environmental Monitoring: Increased monitoring led to a 20% reduction in illegal logging and mining.

✓ Policy Reform: New environmental policies were introduced to improve governance. The EPA also attracted additional funding from global partners to expand its programs.

While celebrating these milestones, Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo acknowledged ongoing challenges. Limited resources, resistance to environmental regulations, and the need for more public awareness about sustainable practices were among the hurdles the EPA faced.

“We still have a long way to go,” he said. “Fighting pollution and climate change is not just about policies—it’s about changing how we think and act. Every Liberian has a role to play in protecting the environment.”

Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo thanked EPA staff and stakeholders for their dedication and support. “None of this would have been possible without your efforts,” he said. “Together, we are building a greener Liberia, and I look forward to what we can achieve in 2025.”

Also speaking, Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, political leader of the Liberia People’s Party (LPP), praised Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo’s leadership. He described him as one of the most effective officials in the Boakai-Koung administration.

“Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo’s work at the EPA is remarkable,” Cllr. Gongloe said. “He has raised the bar for public service in Liberia. His bold steps to fight deforestation, address climate change, and improve environmental governance deserve recognition.”

Cllr. Gongloe added that Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo’s leadership has turned the EPA into a symbol of hope for environmental sustainability in Liberia.

The event also gave EPA employees a chance to celebrate their contributions. Many staff members expressed appreciation for Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo’s leadership style, which they described as inclusive and empowering.

The EPA vowed to continue its work as a leader in environmental sustainability and progress.