By Nafisatu Olayinka Deen
Freetown, 16th October 2025- Sierra Leone and Liberia have taken a decisive step toward formalizing their partnership on climate action, in a moment that signals growing momentum for regional environmental diplomacy.
The Environmental Protection Agencies of both countries concluded a three-day technical exchange in Freetown on Wednesday, October 8, culminating in a joint commitment to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the upcoming 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.
The announcement, made during a press conference hosted by EPA Sierra Leone, was delivered by Hon. Anthony S. Kollie, Acting Deputy Executive Director of EPA Liberia. “I am pleased to announce that both the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia and the Environmental Protection Agency of Sierra Leone agree here in principle to formalize our partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding,” he stated. The MOU, he added, will be signed at COP30 and will serve as a framework for deeper collaboration.
Over the course of the exchange, delegates from both agencies engaged in intensive sessions on climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, waste management, and public awareness. The discussions also explored multilateral environmental frameworks, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and obligations under global treaties such as the Montreal Protocol.
“This partnership marks a turning point in our regional environmental governance,” Kollie said. “By joining forces with Sierra Leone, we are not only sharing knowledge; we are shaping a future where climate resilience and sustainable development are built on African cooperation and leadership.”
Echoing this sentiment, Sheku Mark Kanneh, Chief Director of EPA Sierra Leone, emphasized the significance of the engagement. “This exchange paves the way for meaningful collaboration between our two neighboring countries in tackling the shared environmental challenges we face,” he said.
The forthcoming MOU is expected to institutionalize cooperation across four key pillars: data sharing, capacity development, joint projects, and climate policy alignment. For both countries, the alliance represents more than a diplomatic gesture it’s a strategic move toward unified action in the face of escalating climate threats.
