MONROVIA – The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) on Monday, September 1, 2025, formally presented its five-year strategic plan to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, marking a major step in the nation’s efforts to strengthen environmental governance and sustainability.
The plan was delivered by EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo on behalf of the Agency’s Senior Management Team, Board of Directors, and Policy Council. It outlines a comprehensive roadmap to decentralize EPA operations, modernize institutional systems, and build capacity to better regulate and safeguard Liberia’s environment.
Among the first milestones of the strategic plan is the completion of a state-of-the-art environmental laboratory, a facility designed to monitor pollution, assess climate impacts, and enhance Liberia’s ability to respond to environmental threats. This development underscores the Agency’s commitment to scientific and data-driven approaches in managing the country’s natural resources.
President Boakai welcomed the initiative, praising Dr. Yarkpawolo and the EPA staff for their dedication to advancing environmental protection. He described the strategic plan as a timely intervention that complements his administration’s broader commitment to sustainable development.
“Protecting our environment is not just about conserving ecosystems; it is about ensuring that future generations inherit a healthier, safer, and more sustainable Liberia,” President Boakai said, pledging full support for the implementation of the plan.
He further assured the EPA that the government would back its efforts to implement the plan fully, emphasizing that environmental stewardship is essential to national development and the well-being of Liberians.
Dr. Yarkpawolo explained that the strategic plan aims to create more efficient and accountable operations within the EPA, enabling the Agency to respond effectively to environmental challenges such as deforestation, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. He stressed that strengthening institutional capacity and modernizing infrastructure are key to achieving these objectives.
The EPA’s five-year framework also seeks to engage communities across Liberia, encouraging local participation in environmental protection initiatives and promoting awareness of sustainable practices. By decentralizing operations, the Agency hopes to ensure that its programs are more accessible and effective in all regions of the country.
President Boakai described the laboratory as a “game-changer” in environmental monitoring and scientific research, noting that it will enhance Liberia’s capacity to track and address pollution and climate-related threats. The facility is expected to serve as a central hub for environmental data collection, analysis, and policy guidance.
Environmental advocates and civil society organizations have welcomed the plan, describing it as a critical step toward modernizing Liberia’s environmental governance and ensuring long-term ecological sustainability.
Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized that the success of the plan depends on collaboration among government agencies, local communities, and international partners, highlighting the importance of a unified approach to tackling environmental challenges.
The presentation of the strategic plan signals the EPA’s determination to elevate environmental protection in Liberia, aligning with global best practices and reinforcing the government’s commitment to sustainable development and responsible management of the nation’s natural resources.
