Liberia hosts environmental forum

Liberia will host the final session of a high-level international forum on the environment today.

Collaborating with the World Bank, the Norwegian government and other international stakeholders, the Liberian government aims to solidify commitments and partnerships in sustainable forest management, boosting its own national forest industry. With over 200 participants, the forum aims to encourage private investors and past development partners including USAID, UNDP, the European Union and the United Kingdom to fund forestry expansion and benefit from the development of the Liberian economy.

The Liberian forestry sector holds the potential to reduce extreme poverty in the country while promoting sustainable development. Several obstacles continue to hinder its progress however, including deforestation for agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and mining activities. Without aid from international stakeholders to expand sustainable forest management, the industry will likely plateau and, according to the World Bank, become a poverty-trap for local communities whose lives, food, and income depend on it.

Given its funding of Liberia’s Forestry Training Institute last year, USAID is likely to be a major contributor to 2023 initiatives. With the US on board, its Western allies are expected follow suit.