Liberia marked World Wetlands Day 2025 in Marshall City, Margibi County, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger protection measures for these vital ecosystems. The event, themed “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” served as a platform to raise awareness about the critical role wetlands play in environmental conservation, economic activities, and climate change mitigation. Liberia, a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands since 2003, currently has five designated Ramsar sites, highlighting its commitment to wetland preservation. However, the celebration also underscored the alarming rate of wetland degradation, particularly in Margibi County, due to unregulated construction, illegal waste disposal, and deforestation.
The Presidential Proclamation issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, declaring February 3rd as World Wetlands Day in Liberia, reinforced the national importance of these ecosystems. The proclamation highlighted the vital role of wetlands in coastal protection, flood mitigation, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation. The event brought together a diverse audience, including government officials, NGO representatives, foreign diplomats, and local communities, demonstrating a shared concern for wetland preservation.
Mr. Levi Z. Piah, Liberia’s Ramsar Convention Focal Point, provided a historical overview of the convention and emphasized Liberia’s obligation to protect its wetlands. He expressed deep concerns about the ongoing destruction of wetlands, particularly in Margibi County, urging immediate action to prevent further degradation. The Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Yin Chengwu, reaffirmed China’s commitment to environmental protection and wetland conservation, highlighting the ecological and economic importance of these ecosystems. He pledged China’s continued support for wetland restoration, conservation initiatives, and capacity-building programs in Liberia, drawing parallels with China’s success in wetland restoration and the establishment of its International Mangrove Centre (IMC).
Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlighted the economic significance of wetlands, particularly mangroves, which provide substantial coastal protection. He emphasized the crucial role of mangroves in carbon sequestration, noting their capacity to store significantly more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests. Alarmingly, Dr. Yarkpawolo revealed that Liberia lost a substantial portion of its mangrove forests between 2000 and 2021 due to unregulated construction, sand mining, and pollution. He questioned the ongoing destruction of wetlands despite their immense benefits and announced the EPA’s strengthened enforcement measures, including stop-work and restoration orders.
Acknowledging the limitations in enforcement, Dr. Yarkpawolo announced the EPA’s ongoing negotiations with the Liberia National Police for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) granting law enforcement officers the authority to arrest individuals violating environmental laws. He also highlighted the EPA’s efforts to develop a national carbon market policy, allowing Liberia to participate in global carbon trading and benefit from wetland conservation. Furthermore, he disclosed the validation of eleven environmental regulations in 2024, including regulations for wetland protection, water quality, and solid waste management, and the submission of a draft Executive Order on wetlands conservation to President Boakai. This order, if signed, would establish a National Taskforce on Wetlands Protection, further solidifying Liberia’s commitment to wetland preservation.
Dr. Yarkpawolo lauded China’s establishment of the International Mangrove Centre (IMC) and Liberia’s participation as a founding member. He expressed optimism that this partnership would bolster Liberia’s efforts to restore and conserve its mangrove ecosystems. He concluded by urging all Liberians to take ownership of wetland protection, emphasizing that conserving these vital ecosystems is an investment in the nation’s future. The event concluded with an award ceremony recognizing participating schools, reinforcing the importance of educating future generations about the significance of wetland conservation. The World Wetlands Day celebration served as a powerful call to action, highlighting the urgent need for collective efforts to protect Liberia’s wetlands for present and future generations.
