• Honorable Ministers,

• Distinguished Guests,

• Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

• Representatives of Civil Society,

• The Private Sector,

• Development Partners,

• Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a privilege to join you today at this significant moment in Liberia’s climate action journey. The stakes are high, and the time for decisive action is now. Across the globe, temperature records are being broken, and climate impacts are becoming more severe, intertwining with crises in biodiversity, food security, and finance. Liberia’s leadership in this process is commendable and today marks a critical step forward in aligning its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with urgent global climate goals.

The year 2025 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, a key milestone for global climate action. We must seize this opportunity to strengthen commitments and accelerate implementation. The UN Secretary-General has underscored the importance of ambitious NDCs, making them a top priority for the UN system and a critical agenda item for global political dialogues, including the G20, G7, and the African Union.

Recognizing this urgency, UNDP launched the Climate Promise 2025, "Below 1.5 By 2025: The Plan," in April 2024. This initiative is designed to help countries, including Liberia, enhance the ambition, implementation, and inclusivity of their NDCs through three strategic pillars:

1. Ambition – Supporting bold targets to reduce emissions, strengthen resilience, and mobilize finance. We must increase our ambition and submit enhanced NDCs that align with the 1.5-degree target.

2. Acceleration – Scaling up climate action through public and private investments, innovative financing mechanisms, and strengthened policy frameworks.

3. Inclusivity – Ensuring meaningful engagement of underrepresented groups, including women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities.

At the core of these efforts is the need for finance. The Climate Promise 2025 places a strong emphasis on making NDCs more investable, leveraging the private sector, and integrating NDCs into national investment frameworks. Building on the success of the first Climate Promise launched in 2019, which supported 85% of developing countries in revising their NDCs, this initiative aims to continue progress in ambition and implementation.

The stocktake report we validate today provides a thorough and inclusive evaluation of the progress, achievements, and gaps in implementing the 2021 NDC. This assessment was conducted through a participatory process that amplified voices from diverse sectors, including youth, women, and civil society organizations. Their insights are essential as we work to refine and strengthen NDC 3.0.

Ladies and gentlemen, as UNDP, we recognize our responsibility to support Liberia in meeting its climate commitments. UNDP, through the Climate Promise 2025, has played a pivotal role in facilitating coordinated UN system-wide support. We want to particularly acknowledge and thank the government of the United Kingdom through the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero for their financial support to the current Climate Promise support to Liberia. 

UNDP is working in close collaboration with the government and UN partners to ensure a coordinated, system-wide approach to NDC revision and implementation. We are leveraging expertise from UNEP, UNFCCC, and other partners to provide technical and policy support and enhance data and analytics for evidence-based decision-making. Through the Climate Promise 2025, we will continue to provide tailored support to Liberia, ensuring that its NDC is aligned with the ARREST Agenda priorities and contributes to a sustainable, resilient future.

I commend the Government of Liberia for its leadership and all stakeholders for their invaluable contributions to this process. 

Together, we can drive transformative change, ensuring that Liberia’s NDC 3.0 meets global climate commitments and supports inclusive and sustainable national development.

Thank you.