–EPA Executive Director Calls for Action-Oriented Climate Mobility Agenda, Greater Climate Financing for Vulnerable Communities
BERLIN, Germany – Liberia has formally endorsed the Global Climate Mobility Principles at the Second Berlin Climate Mobility Forum, joining dozens of countries in advancing a coordinated global response to the growing challenges posed by climate-induced human mobility.
The endorsement was announced by the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel King Urey Yarkpawolo, during a high-level ministerial session focused on advancing a global Climate Mobility Adaptation Agenda.
Representing the Government of Liberia at the forum, Dr. Yarkpawolo stressed the urgent need for the international community to move beyond declarations and commitments and focus on practical actions that protect vulnerable populations and strengthen resilience in communities increasingly affected by climate change.
“Climate mobility is no longer a future concern—it is already a reality confronting many countries around the world,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said. “The challenge now is to translate principles into concrete actions that safeguard people, support adaptation efforts, and build resilient communities.”
Liberia Highlights National Climate Mobility Initiative
During the discussions, the EPA Executive Director highlighted Liberia’s growing collaboration with the Global Centre for Climate Mobility through a national Climate Mobility Deep Dive Initiative, which seeks to better understand and address the impact of climate change on communities across the country.
The initiative includes nationwide consultations aimed at capturing the experiences, concerns, and priorities of communities on the frontlines of climate change. The findings are expected to help shape future climate adaptation policies and strengthen national responses to climate-related displacement and migration.
Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized that local communities must remain at the center of climate adaptation efforts, noting that sustainable solutions can only be achieved when those most affected are actively involved in policy formulation and implementation.
Liberia Outlines Three Key Priorities
As part of its contribution to the Climate Mobility Adaptation Agenda, Liberia outlined three major priorities for advancing climate resilience and supporting communities vulnerable to climate-related displacement.
The first priority focuses on strengthening local data systems and climate information services to improve planning, forecasting, and evidence-based decision-making.
The second calls for expanded access to climate finance that directly reaches affected communities and addresses local adaptation needs.
The third emphasizes a whole-of-society approach that brings together governments, local authorities, civil society organizations, youth groups, women, traditional leaders, academic institutions, development partners, and the private sector in addressing climate mobility challenges.
According to Dr. Yarkpawolo, climate adaptation efforts must be inclusive and collaborative if they are to achieve lasting results.
Commitment to Regional Cooperation
The EPA Executive Director also reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in addressing climate-related challenges.
He noted that Liberia remains actively engaged with regional bodies, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Mano River Union, recognizing that climate impacts often transcend national borders and require collective action.
“Climate change does not recognize national boundaries,” Dr. Yarkpawolo observed. “Regional cooperation remains essential if we are to effectively respond to climate-induced displacement, environmental degradation, and other emerging challenges.”
Global Leaders Convene in Berlin
The Second Berlin Climate Mobility Forum, held from June 18–19, 2026, is organized by the Global Centre for Climate Mobility in partnership with the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
The event has brought together heads of state, government ministers, policymakers, development partners, researchers, and climate experts from approximately 80 countries to discuss strategies for addressing the growing impact of climate change on human mobility.
Participants are working to build international consensus around climate mobility policies, including protecting the right of people to remain safely in their communities whenever possible and ensuring that relocation, when necessary, occurs in a dignified and sustainable manner.
Discussions are also focused on strengthening partnerships, mobilizing resources, and developing practical solutions that transform global commitments into measurable action.
Understanding Climate Mobility
Climate mobility refers to the movement of people driven by the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, prolonged droughts, extreme weather events, environmental degradation, flooding, and other climate-related pressures.
As climate impacts intensify worldwide, experts warn that millions of people could face displacement in the coming decades, making climate mobility one of the defining global challenges of the 21st century.
Through its endorsement of the Global Climate Mobility Principles, Liberia joins the growing international effort to develop coordinated responses that strengthen adaptation, reduce vulnerability, and protect communities facing the increasing effects of climate change.
Growing Leadership on Climate Action
Liberia’s participation in the Berlin Forum underscores the country’s expanding role in international climate discussions and its commitment to advancing climate adaptation and resilience-building initiatives.
The endorsement also aligns with Liberia’s broader environmental agenda, which seeks to protect vulnerable communities, promote sustainable development, and ensure that climate policies reflect the realities faced by people on the frontlines of environmental change.
As global efforts to address climate mobility gain momentum, Liberian officials say the country remains committed to contributing to international solutions while strengthening national and regional strategies to address the challenges posed by a changing climate.
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