By P. Vangerline Kpotoe
MONROVIA, Nov. 03 (LINA) — The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, is championing efforts to increase funding for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through direct engagement with international donors.
Dr. Yarkpawolo who recently got appointed as the GEF Chief Executive Officer accepted the role during a bilateral meeting held on Thursday in Yerevan, Armenia by the Chairperson, Mr. Diego Mesa Puyo.
Dr. Yarkpawolo briefed the GEF CEO on the first disbursement under the Strengthening Agricultural Resilience through Transformational Livelihood Adaptation in Liberia (SARTLA) project, the planned US$10 million Urban Resilience Project, and Liberia’s strategic focus areas for the GEF-9 replenishment cycle.
Mr. Mesa Puyo commended Liberia’s progress and reaffirmed the GEF’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s environmental and climate resilience agenda.
In his new role as funding champion, Dr. Yarkpawolo is expected to engage donors directly to mobilize greater financial support for the GEF, showcasing tangible results from GEF investments, highlighting the pressing needs of vulnerable countries like Liberia, and stressing the urgency of financing global environmental action.
Dr. Yarkpawolo also extended an invitation to Mr. Mesa Puyo to visit Liberia to assess GEF-supported projects and interact with beneficiary communities. Mr. Mesa Puyo accepted.
The planned visit will provide an opportunity for the GEF leadership to witness the impact of its investments on the ground, evaluate ongoing challenges, and hold direct dialogue with local stakeholders driving environmental and climate interventions.
The high-level discussion centered on progress of GEF-funded initiatives in Liberia.