NATIONAL NEWS
NEW YORK – Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has called for stronger governance, transparency and community participation in the management of Liberia’s natural resources, warning that environmental pressures and poor resource governance could contribute to social tensions and instability.
By: Kabina S. Kabah – kabinaskabah98@gmail.com
Dr. Yarkpawolo made the remarks Wednesday, September 23, 2026, while delivering the opening statement at a high-level Government of Liberia side event held on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The event, organized under the theme: “The Nexus Between Climate, Conflict and Natural Resources: Pathways to Peace, Resilience, and Sustainable Development,” brought together government officials, United Nations representatives, development partners, environmental experts and other stakeholders to discuss the connections between climate change, natural resources, conflict prevention and sustainable development.
The side event was organized by the Government of Liberia through the Environmental Protection Agency, with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), ahead of Liberia’s December 2026 presidency of the United Nations Security Council.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Yarkpawolo said Liberia’s experience of peace provides an important foundation for addressing the environmental and climate-related challenges facing the country.
He noted that while Liberia has made significant progress in maintaining peace, emerging pressures linked to climate change, environmental degradation and competition over natural resources require stronger national institutions and inclusive governance.
The EPA Executive Director cautioned that climate and environmental pressures could worsen existing vulnerabilities, including poverty, insecurity, displacement, inequality and competition for essential resources.
He said communities that depend directly on forests, rivers, fisheries, agricultural land and other natural resources are particularly vulnerable when environmental changes affect their livelihoods.
According to Dr. Yarkpawolo, the relationship between natural resources and peace must therefore be given greater attention in national development planning.
He explained that where institutions are weak and communities are excluded from decisions concerning the management of natural resources, environmental pressures could contribute to grievances, tensions and instability.
The EPA boss consequently stressed the need for Liberia to strengthen the institutions responsible for managing and protecting the country’s natural assets.
He said effective environmental governance should include transparency in decision-making, accountability among institutions and meaningful participation by communities affected by natural resource activities.
Dr. Yarkpawolo identified Liberia’s forests, minerals, rivers, fisheries and coastal ecosystems as strategic national assets with significant potential to contribute to economic growth, improve livelihoods and strengthen the country’s resilience to climate change.
“Our forests, minerals, rivers, fisheries and coastal systems all offer enormous opportunities for national development,” he emphasized.
He said Liberia’s natural resources could provide significant benefits to the country if they are managed responsibly and sustainably.
However, he warned that the potential of these resources cannot be fully realized without effective governance and adequate environmental protection.
Dr. Yarkpawolo stressed that natural resource management should go beyond extraction and economic returns, arguing that environmental sustainability and the well-being of communities must remain central to the process.
He called for approaches that ensure the benefits generated from natural resources extend to communities and contribute to Liberia’s broader development objectives.
The EPA Executive Director also emphasized the importance of strengthening the relationship between environmental protection and peacebuilding.
He said climate change should not be treated solely as an environmental issue, noting that its impacts can affect livelihoods, migration, food security, access to resources and social stability.
The discussions in New York come as Liberia prepares to assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council in December 2026.
The Government of Liberia is using its engagement at the United Nations General Assembly to highlight the country’s experience with peacebuilding while advancing discussions on climate change, sustainable development, natural resource governance and international peace and security.
The EPA-led side event provided an opportunity for Liberia to draw attention to the need for stronger international and national cooperation in addressing the environmental factors that can contribute to conflict and instability.
Dr. Yarkpawolo said Liberia’s natural resources should instead serve as instruments for peace, economic opportunity and sustainable development.
He maintained that responsible management of the country’s environmental assets, coupled with stronger institutions and community involvement, could help ensure that natural resources contribute to long-term national development.
The EPA Executive Director’s remarks form part of broader efforts by Liberia to place climate resilience, environmental governance and natural resource management within discussions on peace and security as the country prepares to take on a greater role at the
