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President Weah Drums Up International Actions Against Climate Change

Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire - The President of the Republic, Dr. George Manneh Weah, says there is urgency for collective global action to deter the crippling effects of climate change, stating that there are huge benefits  for Africa and the rest of the world if they acted together.
 

He also said climate change has the potential to create global insecurity.
 

Addressing the Heads of State Summit of the Fifteenth Session of the Conference of Parties taking place in Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire on Monday, May 9, 2022, the President stressed that such danger is insurmountable unless leaders acted urgently and decisively together to deal effectively with the problem of drought and desertification which are elements of climate change.
 

President Weah said the theme of  COP-15, “Land. Life. Legacy: From Scarcity to Prosperity”, could not be more appropriate to draw collective attention to the urgent necessity to preserve, protect, and manage land more efficiently.
 

"Land is a major natural resource that is too often taken for granted, and it is important that we become aware that, if it is neglected, or used unwisely, it can become a wasting and depletable asset," the Liberian Leader told international delegates at the conference.


He indicated that people of the world  do not only derive sustenance from land, but also have a duty to ensure that it will continue to support the lives and livelihoods of future generations.
 

 According to the Liberian Leader, it has become common knowledge that the global stock of healthy land is being increasingly degraded through the combined effects of desertification and drought.
 

He stressed that "It is therefore important that we use this forum to formulate new policies and approaches to mitigate the negative impact of these phenomena, by restoring degraded land and combating desertification."
 

President Weah used his speech to remind COP15 Conferees of similar opportunity provided at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, to discuss issues surrounding climate change, and to re-awaken the global community to once again conclude on the full implementation of the Paris Agreement, as well as find a lasting and sustainable solution to global warming.


"I represented my Country at COP26, and fully participated in the discussions, because we are of the view that Africa happens to be one of the most vulnerable regions in the world that are heavily impacted by climate change, which tends to impede the growth and development of our dear continent," the President recalled.
 

As he stated during COP26, President Weah once more informed Leaders that the problem of climate change is not Africa’s making, but it's continuously experiencing the worst consequences of it.
 

He noted: "Drought and floods are beginning to occur with increasing frequency on the continent, and in many countries which have never experienced them before.'
 

"This has not only led to the deaths of thousands of our citizens, and the displacement of millions of our people, but has also caused a direct reduction in food security and an increase in cross-border migration of populations," he continued.
 

At the same time, President Weah informed his counterparts of the significance of finance in addressing land degradation and ecosystem restoration to avoid drought.
 

While commending various international mechanisms such as the Global Environment Facility, Green Climate Fund, and many others vigorously working with countries to address the issue of combating drought, reducing or preventing desertification, and restoring lost land, he reiterated that there is an inherent imbalance in the current architecture of climate financing.
 

 "We who are the richest in terms of forest resources and biodiversity are also the poorest in terms of socio-economic development," Dr. Weah said further.


"We who are the lowest emitters of harmful greenhouse gases, and who bear the brunt of the impact of climate change, benefit the least from the solutions and financing for tackling climate change," he said and added: " And we who maintain and protect the largest remaining tracts of forest reserves, receive the lowest payments for these ecosystem services."

Liberia to Re-Join The International Organization for Marine Aids(IALA)

Liberia to Re-Join The International Organization for Marine Aids(IALA)
 
Saint Germain en Laye, France: May 1, 2022-Liberia’s re-admittance into the global maritime organization, the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), has been assured as the Liberia Maritime Authority has made significant strides as the world second largest ships registry in the world.
 
The head of the Liberian Maritime Program, Commissioner Lenn Eugene Nagbe speaking to executives of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), emphasized Liberia’s preparedness to get re-admitted into the organization to help in galvanizing training and other navigational activities in keeping its obligations as a flag, port and coastal state.
 
“It is a preconditional imperative that we accede to IALA, the body that sets standards for Aids of navigation and vessel traffic management in an industry that Liberia plays a leading role. It is even more relevant now as we are making investments in the modernization of our port infrastructures to glean from the experience and knowledge of this international body”, Nagbe said.
 
Liberia joined the organization at its formation in 1957 but was withdrawn in 1983 during the military regime for unexplained reasons, thus rendering its membership quashed and considered a non-member which has made it unable to access the many programs and activities of the organization.
 
According to a Dispatch from France, Commissioner Nagbe however told the gathering of executives of the organization that Liberia was now ready and prepared to get re-admitted so as to explore the many benefits that it currently has and can offer to member countries.
 
The Secretary General of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), Mr. Francis Zachariae applauded Liberia for its interest in wanting to re-join the organization, noting that Liberia was an important member in its active years.
 
Mr. Zachariae said Liberia’s overall contributions remain second to none because of its experience and expertise in the Maritime program for many years, and expressed joy over the decision to see Liberia back in its fold and thanked Commissioner Nagbe on behalf of the organization for Liberia’s expression of interest in re-joining the IALA.
 
International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), is an organization that deals with its consultative and technical nature and its principal aim is to foster the safe and efficient movement of vessels through improvement and harmonization of marine aids to navigation for the benefit of the maritime community and the protection of the marine environment.
 
The Organization brings together representatives of the aids to navigation services of about 80 countries for technical coordination, information sharing, and coordination of improvements to aids to navigation throughout the world. It was established in 1957 to provide a permanent organization to support the goals of the Technical Lighthouse Conferences which had been convening since 1929.
The General Assembly of IALA meets about every four years. The council of 24 members meets twice a year to oversee its programs.
 
The Liberian Maritime Program was established in 1948 with strong support from the United States of America. In 1949, Liberia became a founding member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and has over the years played a critical role in promulgating maritime safety, security and environmental protection. The Liberian Maritime Program is currently recognized as the second largest ship registry in the world.

Pres. Weah Departs For Abidjan To Attend Heads Of State Summit At COP15 Session

Monrovia, Liberia –His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah has left the Country today, May 8, 2022 to attend the Heads of State Summit on Drought Resilience and Sustainable Land Management in Cote d’Ivoire.

 

The Summit is part of the fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) runs from May 9-20, 2022.


President Weah and world leaders attend the Summit on Monday, May 9, 2022. The summit will build on the Great Green Wall agenda and offer a concrete response to the interconnected challenges of land degradation, climate change and biodiversity loss, stepping into the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.


This year’s COP15 theme, 'Land. Life. Legacy: From Scarcity to Prosperity', is a call to action to ensure that land, the lifeline on this planet, continues to benefit present and future generations.


In addition to the leaders from Government, COP15 will also bring together the private sector, civil society, and other key stakeholders from around the world to drive progress in the future sustainable management of land, one of our most precious natural assets.


While President Weah is away, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Samuel D. Tweah, Jr. will act as chair of the Cabinet in consultation with the Vice President of Liberia and via telephone with the President.

 

The Liberian Chief Executive is expected home on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.

President Weah Congratulates Pres. Macron

A Message of Congratulations to President Emmanuel Macron

April 24th, 2022

Monrovia, Liberia
 

I would like to congratulate President Emmanuel Macron on his victory in the French Presidential election runoff on Sunday, April 24, 2022.

 

He has secured another five-year mandate as President of his country during very difficult times for Europe and the comity of nations.

 

Over the years, President Macron and his government have remained a strong ally of Liberia and of my administration. He helped galvanize French support for our efforts at macroeconomic stability, infrastructure and youth development. He is a firm believer in multilateralism, both in Europe and around the world.

 

France, under his leadership, delivered tens of thousands of much needed Covid vaccines and medical supplies to Liberia last year, which contributed greatly to our fight against the pandemic.
Liberia remains grateful for his support.
 

It is my hope that both countries will leverage this moment in order to strengthen the ties currently subsisting between Liberia and France.

 

President Macron remains a true friend with whom my personal relationship continues to flourish.

 

I look forward to working with him for the betterment of our two nations.

 

Félicitations mon ami et frère.

 

H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah
President of the Republic of Liberia