Liberia Protects Its Forests and Communities With New Plan

For decades, Liberia's forests, mangroves, and rivers have provided food, medicine, and livelihoods to local communities, but when outside researchers and companies used these resources, the people who protected them saw little in return.

That changes now. On February 18, 2026, Liberia validated its first National Report on the Nagoya Protocol, a legal framework ensuring that communities receive fair benefits when their biological resources and traditional knowledge are accessed.

The validation workshop in Paynesville City brought together government officials, environmental experts, community leaders, and development partners to review the landmark report. Dr. Emmanuel King Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of Liberia's Environmental Protection Agency, called it a turning point for the nation's natural resource management.

"This report reflects a national commitment to fairness in the use of Liberia's biological and genetic resources," Dr. Yarkpawolo said. He emphasized that the issue touches social, economic, cultural, and governance matters while strengthening national sovereignty.

The Nagoya Protocol, adopted internationally in 2010, recognizes that countries have sovereignty over their biological resources. It requires anyone accessing these resources to get prior informed consent and agree on mutually beneficial terms with local communities.

Frances B. Seydou, National Focal Point for the Nagoya Protocol, explained that the agreement was developed because countries and communities conserving biodiversity rarely received recognition or compensation. "The protocol also recognizes national sovereignty over biological resources and seeks to protect traditional knowledge," she noted.

The report documents Liberia's progress, including policy development, improved coordination between institutions, and growing stakeholder awareness. It also identifies challenges like finalizing legal frameworks, strengthening community awareness, and building monitoring systems.

The Ripple Effect

This framework does more than protect Liberia's ecosystems. It creates pathways for sustainable economic development through fair partnerships with researchers and businesses interested in the country's genetic resources.

Local communities will now have a seat at the table when their traditional knowledge about medicinal plants or agricultural practices becomes valuable to outside interests. The protocol promotes transparency and ensures benefits flow back to the people who have stewarded these resources for generations.

The model also encourages responsible research and investment while supporting conservation efforts. When communities benefit financially from their natural resources, they have more incentive and resources to protect them for future generations.

Inputs from the validation workshop will be incorporated into the final report, which will guide Liberia's next steps in protecting biodiversity while ensuring benefits reach the communities that safeguard them. Dr. Yarkpawolo stressed that successful implementation requires collaboration across government institutions, academia, the private sector, and community leaders.

Liberia has been a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity since 1995, but this national report marks a concrete step toward turning international commitments into local action that protects both nature and the people who depend on it.