By P. Vangerline Kpotoe
MONROVIA, Nov. 03 (LINA) – Liberia has called on African climate negotiators to translate dialogue into concrete action as the continent strengthens its common position on Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) ahead of COP31.
The call was made by Mr. Arthur R.M. Becker, Director of Multilateral Environmental Agreements at the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA), while delivering the official closing statement of a three-day Strategic Meeting of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) on ACE held in Margibi County.
The meeting, held under the theme: “Strengthening Africa’s Common Position on Action for Climate Empowerment: From SB64 Outcomes to Strategic Engagement at COP31,” brought together ACE negotiators, National ACE Focal Points, youth representatives, and partners from across Africa to review outcomes from the 64th sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SB64) and strategize for coordinated engagement at SBI 65 and COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
He noted that ACE is critical to translating national commitments into action and advancing the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and other national climate priorities.
Becker said the discussions over the three days reaffirmed that ACE — which includes climate education and literacy, public awareness, public access to information, meaningful public participation and international cooperation — is not peripheral to climate policy but central to implementation.
For Africa, Becker stressed, the common position must reflect the continent’s realities and champion implementation that is measurable and nationally owned, backed by adequate finance, technology, capacity-building and international cooperation. It must also ensure inclusive participation of women, youth, children, Indigenous Peoples, local communities and other underrepresented groups in shaping climate decisions.
He welcomed the meeting’s focus on the future ACE action plan, climate education and literacy, access to reliable and locally relevant climate information, public participation, capacity-building, dedicated ACE financing, and practical monitoring and reporting — describing them as key not only for negotiations but for delivering tangible benefits to communities across Africa.
Becker emphasized that the success of the meeting will be judged not by the quality of discussions alone, but by follow-up actions. He urged negotiators, technical experts and National ACE Focal Points to maintain close coordination, share evidence and country experiences, and preserve a coherent African voice going into SBI 65 and COP31.
“As we prepare for COP31, Africa should enter the negotiations with unity, clarity and purpose,” he said, adding that the continent must be ready to articulate not just what it seeks for the future of ACE, but why it matters, what implementation requires, and how progress can be assessed.
“Liberia remains committed to working with African countries and partners to advance inclusive, effective and implementation-oriented climate action,” Becker said, formally declaring the strategic meeting closed.