At a side event on October 25, 2024, on the sidelines of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP 16, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), joined Sierra Leone’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Minister Jiwoh Abdulai, to share insights on transboundary conservation initiatives in the Gola Rainforest.
The session centered on the innovative collaboration between local communities, civil society, and governments in Liberia and Sierra Leone to protect the Gola Rainforest and implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Highlighting their achievements, the event featured audiovisual presentations showcasing community-led conservation projects within the Gola landscape, followed by a panel discussion where attendees engaged directly with the panelists.
Dr. Yarkpawolo and Minister Abdulai emphasized that such collaborative efforts are essential for protecting biodiversity, securing local livelihoods, and advancing global conservation goals. The event served as a platform for both nations to reinforce their commitment to environmental protection through shared strategies and local engagement in the Gola region.