- The World Bank Group says Liberia stands to benefit significantly from significant climate financing if it does the right thing.
- We also know that other development partners in this room have supported the Government of Liberia in the forest sector.
World Bank Country Manager for Liberia, Khwima Nthara, says climate financing has the potential to contribute to the Government’s budget to finance critical development programs such as infrastructure and the delivery of social services. However, Mr Nthara noted that Liberia must conserve its forests to maximise climate finance.
During the recent Liberia Forest and Climate Resilience Forum held at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Cong Town, he stressed that the forest sector’s critical role in global climate resilience has opened up new opportunities for countries like Liberia that still have vast forest cover. Mr Nathara added that the second good news was that the Government of Liberia has already started taking some basic first steps toward protecting the country’s vast forest cover. He said, “We know this because we at the World Bank have been supporting the Government’s efforts to protect Liberia’s forests through the Liberia Forest Sector Project, with grant financing from the Norwegian Government. We also know that other development partners in this room have supported the Government of Liberia in the forest sector.”
The World Bank Country Manager for Liberia underscores that the most crucial step for Liberia to maximise opportunities in the forest sector through its contribution to climate resilience is to implement actions identified from the forum and presented in a clear road map. He said, “In this regard, you can count on the continued support of the World Bank Group and other development partners in helping you implement these actions. At the same time, we hope that the road map will include some low-hanging fruits, and some quick wins, that can easily be implemented even without the support of donors. This will send a clear message and signal that Liberia is open for business in the area of climate finance.”
Source: ThenewdawnLiberia