As the world grapples with the devastating impacts of climate change, young people in Liberia are rising up, resolute in their mission to amplify their voices. On February 12, 2025, a gathering of youth climate advocates convened at iCampus in Monrovia for the National Youth Post-COP29 Conference, organized by the Liberian Youth for Climate Action and supported by ActionAid Liberia.
The conference, titled “Unpacking the Baku Climate Unity: Strengthening Meaningful Youth Participation in Climate Action,” provided a platform for young individuals to introspect on the key outcomes of COP29, the global climate summit held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
This summit brought together world leaders, scientists, and activists to discuss solutions to the climate crisis, focusing on critical areas such as climate finance, adaptation, and loss and damage. Youth activists from across the globe seized the opportunity to demand immediate action, advocating for increased funding to assist vulnerable nations like Liberia in adapting to rising temperatures, floods, and extreme weather events.
For young Liberians, this conference transcended its international nature, serving as a stark reminder of the tangible effects of climate change on their daily lives. From severe floods that displaced families in riverine communities to coastal erosion that threatened homes along Monrovia’s shores, the impact of climate change was palpable.
Ezekiel Nyanfor, Executive Director of LYCA, underscored the active participation of Liberian youth at COP29 and their unwavering commitment to ensuring that their voices remain integral to climate discussions within their country.
“At COP29, the youth of Liberia was fully represented, from organizing side events to actively participating in negotiations and engaging in bilateral meetings,” Ezekiel emphasized.
He further emphasized the importance of effective collaboration between young climate change professionals and the government through relevant line ministries and agencies.
Liberia, with forests covering nearly 70% of its landmass, plays a significant role in global climate mitigation efforts. However, it also ranks among the most climate-vulnerable nations, grappling with severe environmental challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Benjamin Karmoh, Chief Technical Advisor and UNFCCC Focal Point at the EPA, highlighted Liberia’s stance at COP29 and the ongoing struggle for climate financing.
“Liberia, as part of the African group of negotiators and the least developed country group, anticipated that the international community would deliver at least 1 trillion United States dollars in climate finance,” Karmoh explained. “Unfortunately, we received a deal that some parties were not satisfied with.”
Despite these setbacks, Karmoh emphasized the importance of young people remaining engaged and advocating for funding and policies that prioritize climate adaptation in Liberia.
Similarly, Hon Ansu V S Dulleh Sr, Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), warned that climate-induced disasters are escalating across the country.
“We are already witnessing the impacts of climate change; coastal erosion is eroding homes, floods are destroying livelihoods, and unpredictable weather patterns are hindering farmers’ ability to cultivate food,” Dulleh cautioned.
He urged young people to take on leadership roles in climate action, raising awareness and advocating for policies that build resilience in their communities.
For many attendees, the central takeaway from the conference was the urgent need for increased youth involvement in decision-making.
Hawa Karlie, a young climate advocate, underscored the significance of including young people in policy discussions.
“I recommend that our government considers youth perspectives and provides opportunities for their voices to be heard through their involvement. Climate change can be addressed if we do this,” Karlie asserted.
Her call resonated with many participants, who emphasized that young people are not merely future leaders; they are leaders in the present.
The National Youth Post-COP29 Conference was attended by esteemed guests such as the deputy minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Hon. Ibrahim Nyei, and the Federation of Liberia Youth, among others. The conference concluded with a reaffirmation of young climate advocates’ unwavering commitment to taking immediate local action while simultaneously remaining actively involved in global climate discussions.
As the global discourse on climate change persists, Liberian youth are resoundingly making it evident that they will not be passive observers in the fight against the climate crisis.
Participants expressed their readiness to assume leadership roles, take decisive actions, and demand transformative change for themselves, their communities, and future generations.
