Monrovia - Liberia - Liberia’s Deputy Minister for Budget and Development Planning, Hon. Tanneh G. Bruson has urged all development partners, civil society organizations, and Stakeholders to act now more with urgency, determination, and a shared vision for a better future.
She made the disclosure when she officially launched the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning Climate Integration and Financing office under the Theme: ‘’ Building Synergies for Climate Change Mainstreaming –Operationalizing the Climate Integration and Financing Office for National Development and Resource Mobilization’’.
The objective is to bridge the gap between climate change concerns and development-planning decisions by mainstreaming climate change into the Ministry's policies, programs, and budget planning.
According to Hon. Brunson, when actions are taken, everyone will jointly take bold and transformative steps to protect the climate environment, support people, and build a Liberia that is resilient, sustainable, and prosperous.
She noted that by establishing the Climate Integration and Financing Office (CIFO), Liberia has joined countries like Sierra Leone, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Nepal, and others in creating institutional frameworks to attract climate change finance from domestic and international sources.
She stated that the climate Integration and Financing Office underscores the importance of integrating climate change into development frameworks. However, this is not only an environmental responsibility but also a strategic move for enhancing resilience and sustainable growth.
'’ We believe that the time is ripe for us to look at Liberia’s Development through the lens of Climate Change that will align with the ARREST agenda for Inclusive development’’ Hon. Brunson added.
Let us recommit ourselves to the principles of sustainability, resilience, and equity. ‘’ We cannot afford to wait, nor can we afford to do this alone’’ she explains.
As we move forward, our vision for the Climate Integration and Financing Office is about not only establishing a robust, integrated framework that drives climate resilience and sustainability but also embedding climate change considerations into Liberia’s national planning, budgeting, and resource mobilization processes.
It is about empowering our communities, especially our women, youth, and vulnerable populations, to become active participants in the fight against climate change. Together, we will build resilient communities that are not just surviving but thriving in the face of climate adversity.
She extends a heartfelt gratitude to Development Partners and Conservation International whose support through the NDC partnership has been instrumental in making the national development plan and the Country Development Agenda climate-smart.
She asked development partners to see the full establishment of a climate office as a testament to their commitment to Liberia’s readiness to engage in sustainable financing mechanisms that will drive green growth, energy transition, and climate resilience.
'’ We invite you to join us on this journey—because together, we can achieve more’’ she explains.
For her part, the World Bank Country Manager in Liberia, Ms. Georgia Wallen said the climate office launched is an important step in enhancing Liberia's Integration of Climate change, International development, and mobilization of resources for climate resilience projects.
The bank is committed to advancing collaboration across Government Ministries and agencies to ensure coordination, cooperation and impact that will drive sustainable growth and development.
The African Development Bank, Sweden, and others thanked the Government of Liberia for the steadfast step toward climate integration and financing. ‘’ We stand firm to support, coordinate, and collaborate with all actors across government.
Mr. Foday Couch Bayoh Jr., a Climate change and Climate finance focus person at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning highlights three important goals of the climate integration and financing office: To enhance resource mobilization, foster stakeholder development and promote sustainable development.
Climate financing disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, particularly low-income communities and people of color, while high-income countries are leading contributors to greenhouse emissions, low and middle-income countries withstand the worst of climate change impacts like extreme heat, droughts, and floods.
The Deputy Minister for Budget and Development Planning, Hon. Tanneh G. Brunson, World Bank Country Manager to Liberia, Ms. Ms. Georgia Wallen, African Development Bank Senior Country Economist, Mr. Yusuf B. Foday, United Nations Development Program Deputy Resident Representative Mr. Louis Kuukpen, Assistant Minister for Budget and Development Planning, Hon. Sarah McGill Mulbah, other development partners, representatives from the civil society organization, officials from ministries and agencies among others staffer from MFDP witnessed the official launch ceremony.