By Precious D. Freeman
In the lead-up to the Twenty-ninth Conference of Parties (COP29), Liberia has secured a prominent role by being appointed Co-Lead for the Subsidiary Body of Implementation (SBI) Agenda Item 18, which focuses on Matters Relating to Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE).
The announcement was made on Friday, November 8, by the Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) at a pre-sessional meeting held in Baku.
The honor of representing Liberia in this critical capacity falls to Mr. Teddy P. Taylor, Liberia’s Youth & Climate Change Coordinator and the National Focal Point for ACE at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Mr. Taylor will work alongside international counterparts to advance Liberia’s and Africa’s climate objectives on a global platform.
ACE is a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) framework that aims to mobilize societies around climate action.
Guided by Article 6 of the UNFCCC and Article 12 of the Paris Agreement, ACE’s objectives encompass six essential components: climate education, public awareness, training, public participation, access to climate information, and international cooperation.
These elements are pivotal in empowering societies to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
In his remarks, Mr. Taylor highlighted the importance of Liberia’s role, describing it as a unique chance for Liberia to shape the African position on climate empowerment.
“Implementing all six ACE elements is crucial to the global response to climate change. Everyone, including and perhaps especially the young must understand and participate in transitioning to a low-emission and climate-resilient world,” he stated.
The AGN Chair also praised Mr. Taylor’s dedication, emphasizing the collective role that all nations must play in combatting climate challenges.
The Chair’s acknowledgment reflects a broader appreciation for Liberia’s leadership and commitment to climate empowerment and education on a regional and global scale.
With Liberia positioned to help lead SBI Agenda Item 18, the country is set to influence critical discussions on ACE that will shape climate empowerment policies and actions at COP29 and beyond.
