In a strategic move to address the escalating challenges of climate change, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) officially launched the Climate Integration and Financing Office (CIFO) in Monrovia on Monday, November 25, 2024.
The new office aims to strengthen Liberia’s climate resilience and mobilize resources to support national development through climate-conscious policies and initiatives.
During the launch, Deputy Minister for Budget and Development Planning, Hon. Tanneh G. Brunson, called for immediate and collective action from all sectors, including government, development partners, civil society organizations, and local communities. She emphasized that a unified approach is essential for securing Liberia’s sustainable and prosperous future.
“The time to act is now,” Hon. Brunson stated, urging stakeholders to take bold, transformative steps to protect the environment and promote climate resilience. She highlighted the importance of integrating climate considerations into Liberia’s national development planning, framing it as an environmental and strategic necessity for sustainable growth.
The launch event, held under the theme “Building Synergies for Climate Change Mainstreaming – Operationalizing the Climate Integration and Financing Office for National Development and Resource Mobilization,” focused on embedding climate change into Liberia’s national policies, planning, and budgeting processes.
Establishing the Climate Integration and Financing Office places Liberia alongside other countries such as Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Uganda, which have created similar structures to attract domestic and international climate financing. Minister Brunson emphasized that Liberia must adopt a climate-focused development agenda to strengthen its resilience against environmental shocks and ensure long-term sustainability.
“We believe the time is ripe for us to view Liberia’s development through the lens of climate change, aligning with our ARREST agenda for inclusive development,” she said.
In her remarks, Minister Brunson underscored the importance of empowering vulnerable communities, particularly women, youth, and marginalized groups, to participate actively in climate action. She expressed her gratitude to Liberia’s development partners, including Conservation International and the NDC Partnership, for their crucial support in shaping the country’s climate-smart development framework.
“Together, we can achieve more,” she affirmed, urging continued collaboration to secure sustainable financing for green growth and climate resilience projects.
Ms. Georgia Wallen, the World Bank’s Country Manager for Liberia, echoed Minister Brunson’s sentiments, praising the launch of the CIFO as a key step in incorporating climate change into Liberia’s development strategies and securing resources for climate resilience initiatives. The African Development Bank, Sweden, and other international partners reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Liberia’s climate integration efforts.
At the event, Mr. Foday Couch Bayoh Jr., a climate change and climate finance expert at the Ministry of Finance, outlined the new office’s key goals: enhancing resource mobilization, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and promoting sustainable development initiatives.
Creating the Climate Integration and Financing Office marks a significant milestone in Liberia’s journey to combat climate change and build a more resilient, sustainable future for all its citizens.
