Liberia to Spotlight Climate, Peace and Resource Governance at UN General Assembly
Liberia is expected to use a high-level United Nations forum to draw global attention to the growing connection between climate change, natural resources, conflict prevention and sustainable peace.
The Government of Liberia, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is organizing the event in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The forum, themed *“The Nexus between Climate, Conflict, and Natural Resources: Pathways to Peace, Resilience, and Sustainable Development,”* will bring together government representatives, UN officials, climate experts, development partners, civil society organizations, researchers and members of the private sector.
According to a September 21, 2026 release, discussions will focus on how environmental stress, weak management of natural resources and climate-related disasters can increase insecurity in vulnerable countries.
The event comes as Liberia prepares to take over the rotating Presidency of the UN Security Council in December 2026.
Liberian authorities believe the country’s upcoming leadership role at the Security Council provides an important opportunity to promote stronger international action on climate security, environmental protection and peacebuilding.
Liberia has continued to rebuild after years of civil conflict while also advancing policies on forest conservation, wetlands protection and climate action. However, the country remains exposed to major environmental and development challenges, including coastal erosion, illegal mining, deforestation and the continued encroachment on wetlands.
These concerns have affected livelihoods in several communities and have increased calls for development programs that are both climate-resilient and sensitive to potential conflict.
The planned UNGA side event will examine climate change as a threat multiplier, meaning that its effects can worsen existing problems such as poverty, inequality, unemployment, food insecurity, land disputes and weak public institutions.
Across Africa and other climate-vulnerable regions, changing weather patterns and declining natural resources are placing increased pressure on land, water, forests and fisheries. Experts warn that competition over these resources can deepen tensions within communities and threaten peace if governments and partners fail to respond early.
The discussions are also expected to address climate-related displacement, migration, natural-resource governance, institutional capacity and the role of local communities in preventing disputes.
UNDP Associate Administrator Haoliang Xu is expected to deliver the keynote address. Other African and international leaders, policy experts and climate specialists will also participate in panel discussions.
Participants will consider practical measures to improve climate resilience, strengthen accountability in the management of natural resources and expand access to climate finance for countries facing serious environmental risks.
The forum is expected to produce policy recommendations and support new partnerships among governments, international institutions, civil society and the private sector.
Liberia will use the gathering to present its progress in protecting forests and wetlands, while renewing its appeal for greater adaptation funding for countries that are highly vulnerable to climate change.
The government says stronger investment in local communities, environmental protection and peaceful resource management will be essential to protecting livelihoods and securing sustainable peace.
