Baku, Azerbaijan: The Vice President of Liberia, Hon. Jeremiah K. Koung, is urging the international community to take stronger action on climate change and its devastating impact on vulnerable nations.
VP Koung made this compelling case at Baku’s 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29).
The Liberian Vice president is also urging
In his address, the Liberian Vice President congratulated the government and people of Azerbaijan for their leadership in hosting COP29 and praised the hospitality extended to the Liberian delegation.
Koung, among other things, highlighted the pressing climate challenges faced by Liberia, particularly the devastating floods that have swept through the country’s low-lying areas this year, causing significant loss of life, property damage, and displacement.
He emphasized that these events underscore the urgency of global action, while calling for the creation of a robust Loss and Damage Fund that ensures accountability while avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy.
The Liberian Vice President also underscored the need for stronger cooperation on climate action mechanisms, specifically Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which deals with carbon markets and non-carbon market solutions.
Koung pledged Liberia commitment to stand firmly behind the Africa Group’s position in operationalizing these mechanisms to address both emissions reductions and climate adaptation.
He further disclosed that Liberia would increase its climate ambition by expanding its commitments in the upcoming third generation Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
According to him, this updated NDC will prioritize biodiversity conservation, particularly mangrove and freshwater ecosystems, alongside issues such as child rights and human mobility.
He emphasized that a key part of Liberia’s climate strategy is securing increased international climate finance.
Koung urged developed nations to fulfil their pledges under the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance, which is essential for helping developing countries mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The Vice President also highlighted Liberia’s progress in building climate resilience through domestic initiatives, including the establishment of a national climate laboratory at the University of Liberia.
This center aims to enhance the country’s capacity to address climate change through education and research.
In closing, Vice President Koung called on global leaders to unite in the fight against climate change, stressing that only through collective action can humanity hope to address the existential threat of global warming.
“This is our time,” he declared, emphasizing that with solidarity and accountability, the world can overcome the climate crisis.
The Liberian Vice President calls for stronger global climate action reflecting the growing urgency among developing nations to ensure that the world’s most vulnerable populations are not left behind in the battle against climate change.
