Dr. Teeko T. Yorlay, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France, held a high-level strategic meeting with Gabriel Normand.
Mr. Normand is the Advisor to the Minister at the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forestry, the Sea and Fisheries.
According to a dispatch, Amb. Yorlay conveyed the Government of Liberia steadfast commitment to strengthening the longstanding and cordial bilateral relations between Liberia and France.
He spoke of Liberia’s interest in establishing a structured framework for collaboration in fisheries, forestry and environmental protection.
Fisheries Cooperation
Amb. Yorlay drew attention to the pressing challenges posed by climate change to Liberia’s coastal communities and marine ecosystems, including sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather variability.
In this context, he sought the support of the French Government in the areas of strengthening Liberia’s capacity to monitor and protect its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, marine pollution, and illicit maritime activities; enhancing climate resilience and supporting the development of sustainable marine-based economic opportunities; promoting academic and technical cooperation, particularly through the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the University of Liberia.
Forestry Sector Engagement
Highlighting Liberia’s commitment to forest conservation, Amb. Yorlay noted country’s establishment of five major protected areas, including the Sapo National Park, East Nimba Nature Reserve, Lake Piso Multiple Use Reserve, Grebo-Krahn National Park, and the Gola Forest National Park.
He outlined several areas where a French technical and financial partnership would be invaluable: Namely: Capacity-building support for the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), including the establishment of a fully functional Project Management Unit; Development of eco-tourism infrastructure, including ecolodges and visitor centers; Training of forest rangers and provision of scholarship programs in Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resource Management; Facilitation of joint scientific research focused on Liberia’s biodiversity; Support for transboundary landscape management and the development of a national carbon policy framework.
Amb. Yorlay also sought French technical assistance in the areas of carbon measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV), greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory systems, and the establishment of safeguards information systems.
Environmental Protection and Climate Action
Yorlay commended France’s global leadership in environmental governance referencing key French-supported initiatives, including the EU Mission to Restore Our Ocean and Waters, the United Nations Ocean Conference, and the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty.
He expressed Liberia’s gratitude for the opportunity to deposit its instrument of ratification of the Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty during the recent UN Ocean Conference held in Nice, France, in June 2025.
Amb. Yorlay further expressed interest in deepening cooperation in the areas of technical and financial support to strengthen the operational capacities of Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Coast Guard, and the FDA.
Access to satellite-based vessel tracking systems (AIS/VRM).
Collaboration with French research institutions such as IFREMER on joint marine research missions.
Assistance in implementing coastal zoning regulations, piloting coastal resilience projects, and advancing initiatives in aquaculture, mangrove restoration, and marine renewable energy.
He reaffirmed country’s commitment to building a strategic partnership with France anchored in shared values of environmental stewardship, marine protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.
Yorlay spoke of Liberia’s readiness to contribute local expertise, enhance environmental enforcement mechanisms, and align national policies with international environmental obligations.
France’s Response and Future Collaboration
In response, Mr. Normand welcomed Liberia’s proactive engagement and lauded its leadership in environmental and climate governance.
He affirmed France’s readiness to explore two principal avenues of cooperation, including bilateral engagement; reviewing existing agreements, if there are any, and establishing new frameworks to guide bilateral cooperation, etc.