Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan – At the pre-sessional meetings leading up to the Twenty-ninth Conference of Parties (COP29), Liberia has been appointed as the Co-Lead for the Subsidiary Body of Implementation (SBI) Agenda Item 18, which focuses on Matters Relating to Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE).
The announcement was made on Friday, November 8, by the Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) during a meeting in Baku. Mr. Teddy P. Taylor, Liberia’s Youth & Climate Change Coordinator and National Focal Point for ACE at the Environmental Protection Agency, will represent Liberia in this vital role.
ACE is a framework established by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, aimed at mobilizing societies around climate action, as outlined in Article 6 of the Convention and Article 12 of the Paris Agreement. Its goal is to empower individuals and communities through six key elements: climate change education and public awareness, training, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation.
In his address to the gathering, Mr. Taylor emphasized the significance of Liberia’s appointment, stating it presents an opportunity for the country to enhance its involvement in shaping Africa’s stance on the global climate agenda, particularly concerning ACE. “Implementing all six ACE elements is crucial to the global response to climate change. Everyone, including—and perhaps especially—the young must understand and participate in transitioning to a low-emission and climate-resilient world,” he remarked.
The Chair of the AGN expressed gratitude to Mr. Taylor for his dedication to advancing this important agenda item, underscoring the collective responsibility of nations in addressing climate challenges.