Monrovia – The Government of Liberia, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-Climate Promise, UN Women, UNICEF, ActionAid Liberia, Medica Liberia and the Liberian Youth for Climate Action (LYCA), is holding a National Dialogue on integrating the priorities of Youth, Children, Gender and People with Disabilities in Liberia’s NDC 3.0 development process from April 17–19, 2025 in Ganta, Nimba County.
This high-level national event comes at a critical time as Liberia embarks on formulating its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement. The dialogue aims to ensure that the voices, perspectives, and priorities of these marginalized groups disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change are meaningfully integrated into national climate action strategies.
With over 70% of Liberia’s population under the age of 35 and growing vulnerabilities due to climate impacts, the three-day dialogue will convene more than 100 participants from youth- and women-led organizations, children’s networks, people with disabilities, government ministries and agencies, development partners, international NGOs, and climate experts.
Participants will collaborate to reflect on lessons from Liberia’s NDC 2.0 and the national stocktake, discuss new priorities and climate goals for inclusion in NDC 3.0, build capacities in advocacy, policy engagement, and gender mainstreaming, and produce a joint Youth, Children, and Gender Climate Position Paper.
The EPA, leading this event, is supported by the Ministries of Youth and Sports, Gender, Children and Social Protection, and Education.
This initiative represents collaborative efforts between national institutions, UN agencies, civil society, and youth organizations. By working together, these actors are demonstrating a shared commitment to a more inclusive, equitable, and responsive approach to climate policy—one that acknowledges the experiences of marginalized groups, harnessing their energy, ideas, and leadership.
“This dialogue is more than just participation—it is about transformation. It’s about putting those most affected by climate change at the center of the solutions,” says Mr. Teddy Taylor, Action for Climate Empowerment, EPA.
The dialogue will feature panel discussions, technical sessions, and working groups on youth advocacy, child-sensitive NDCs, women’s leadership in climate resilience, and the health impacts of climate change.
It will also feature presentations on the tools and frameworks on mainstreaming youth and gender considerations into climate planning from UNDP, WHO, and UNICEF. A special session led by UN Women will focus on integrating feminist economic perspectives into the NDC process.
The outcomes of this dialogue will directly feed into Liberia’s NDC 3.0 development process and help shape climate interventions that reflect the realities and aspirations of Liberia’s most vulnerable and vibrant population.
A validated position paper will be presented to key government bodies and development partners at the close of the dialogue. It will serve as a guiding document for integrating the priorities of young people, children, gender, and people with disabilities in Liberia’s revised climate commitments.
As the climate crisis deepens, Liberia’s message is clear- the path to sustainability must be paved with inclusive voices and shared vision.
This is a moment for collective action, where youth, children, women, and people with disabilities lead the way in shaping Liberia’s climate future.
