Liberia plans to unlock $30 billion in natural wealth
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Liberia’s government is working to value its natural resources, including forests, rivers, and renewable energy, as national wealth worth over $30 billion.
The initiative began at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, where Liberian officials and international experts discussed linking climate change, natural resources, and peaceful development. Presidential Envoy on Climate Action Janine Cooper explained that Liberia aims to measure and monetize these environmental assets, ensuring local communities benefit from the resulting investments.
Liberia intends to move beyond simply protecting its natural environment and instead treat it as a source of economic growth. The Liberian Carbon Market Authority recently presented the country’s first National Carbon Policy to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai after a year of establishing systems to assess the financial value of land. Liberia hopes to attract financing for climate solutions while preserving its forests and ecosystems. Cooper emphasized that environmental investments can also build peace by preventing disputes over resources.
For example, restoring mangrove forests can reduce flooding and displacement, while climate-smart agriculture can improve food security. The country’s experience with peacebuilding provides a foundation for addressing environmental pressures that could worsen social and economic problems, according to EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo. Liberia is scheduled to preside over the United Nations Security Council in December, and this new strategy is part of a larger plan to demonstrate how natural resources can support sustainable development and peace.
