To Boost Blue Economy:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with Conservation International (CI)  Liberia, has officially launched Liberia’s first National Mangrove Inventory, a major step under the Blue Ocean Program aimed at protecting the country’s vital coastal and marine ecosystems.

 The ceremony, held on Tuesday, October 28, in Monrovia, marked a turning point in Liberia’s environmental governance and economic transformation agenda, according to officials.

  Partners Commend Liberia’s Leadership

 Giving an overview of the program, Valentine Ebua, Conservation International’s Managing Director for West and Central Africa, praised the collaboration and urged the government to translate the findings into strong policy actions, including the establishment of mangrove-protected areas.

 Representing the Swedish Embassy in Monrovia, Madam Kerstin Jousson Cisse lauded the milestone, tracing the Blue Ocean Program’s journey from its inception at the 2019 Blue Oceans Conference. She described the launch as “one of the program’s landmark achievements” and commended Liberian experts, particularly those from the University of Liberia, for leading the scientific work.

 “We are proud to see Liberian ownership of this important initiative,” Madam Cisse said. “The Swedish Embassy stands ready to continue working with Liberia in its development drive.”

  EPA Chief Links Mangrove Protection to Economic Growth

 Speaking on behalf of the Liberian government, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel King Urey Yarkpawolo said the mangrove inventory carries national importance beyond environmental science, stressing its potential to drive sustainable economic development.

 “Liberia’s Blue Economy Vision seeks to harness our oceans, coasts, and rivers for sustainable growth, fisheries, tourism, and renewable energy,” Dr. Yarkpawolo stated. “Healthy mangroves and wetlands are the foundation of this vision. When they are protected, they generate jobs, support food security, and serve as natural infrastructure against flooding and sea-level rise.”

 He emphasized that mangrove protection is essential for establishing a credible carbon market that benefits coastal communities. “A robust mangrove system underpins a successful carbon market,” he said. “Wetland protection is therefore cardinal to our collective ability to generate credible carbon credits and benefit-sharing mechanisms under our National Carbon Market Policy.”

  Call for International Support

 Dr. Yarkpawolo disclosed that the EPA has developed a US$3.2 million national budget framework to prevent further degradation of mangroves and wetlands through community restoration, law enforcement, research, and the creation of a national mangrove park.

 “We call on our development partners—the EU, Sweden, the World Bank, UNDP, and others—to join us in fully implementing this program,” he appealed.

 He praised the Government of Sweden for its long-standing support through the Blue Oceans Programme and commended Conservation International for its technical leadership.

 “This inventory is more than a report—it is a call to action,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said. “Let us commit to ensuring that our children inherit a coastline that is vibrant, productive, and resilient.”

 He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to make Liberia a leader in West Africa’s Blue Economy, citing the country’s strong policy direction under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

  Government’s Continued Commitment

 Dr. Yarkpawolo recalled that in 2024, President Boakai issued Executive Order No. 143, mandating the protection and restoration of all wetlands, recognizing mangroves as national heritage vital to climate resilience and biodiversity.

 To enforce this directive, the EPA established the National Wetlands Task Force, which has been mapping wetland boundaries, identifying threat zones, and engaging communities in restoration efforts. He said the newly launched mangrove inventory would provide real-time data on mangrove extent, condition, and carbon storage—essential for national planning and investment.

 A Defining Step for Liberia’s Coastal Future

 The launch of the National Mangrove Inventory positions Liberia to better safeguard its coastal ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, and unlock economic opportunities tied to the Blue Economy.

“With science, collaboration, and sustained investment,” Dr. Yarkpawolo concluded, “Liberia can become a regional leader in sustainable ocean and coastal management.”