The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) launched the “LEH GO GREEN” project on May 15, 2024, on a national level and subsequently, at the project level on May 17 and 24 in Grand Gedeh and Grand Cape Mount Counties respectively. 

The project funded by the European Union will directly engage the communities. Its launch marks a significant milestone in Liberia's journey towards sustainable forestry and biodiversity conservation as the European Union (EU) proudly announced its support. 

Speaking at the launch, the EU Ambassador Nona Deprez reiterated the EU mission support for the forest and biodiversity to Liberia. 

The Ambassador noted the dramatic levels of forests, biodiversity and the consequences it has on climate change, people’s wellbeing, and the economy. “We need to see conservation as natural heritage and natural capital from a social and economic perspective and the importance of having the communities represented” said Deprez.  

Stating the role and commitment of UNDP in this project, the Resident Representative a.i, Mr. Louis Kuukpen noted that UNDP is poised in connecting the dots to internalize forestry governance in Liberia by working with national institutions civil society organizations, communities and partners to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

“Without sustainability which talks about forest and environment, we will not be able to achieve them. The nexus between the SGDs and the forest is very critical and a project of this kind will help us achieve the SDGs”, Kuukpen emphasized. 

The FDA Managing Director Mr. Rudolph J. Mereb noted that to maintain sustainable forest management, there are resources needed to help protect it and those available to help change the lives of the people. He emphasized that these interventions must be substantive and sustainable. 

Mereb said if such are not substantive, people will fall back, and the project will not have substantive impacts in the communities. He therefore pledged the FDA unwavering support to implement the project working in partnership with UNDP. 

“LEH GO GREEN” is a European Union-funded project which is valued at (4.9 million USD). The Launch in Monrovia brought together high-level stakeholders from the Government of Liberia, the donor community, civil society organizations and partners.  

This project is aimed at improving natural resources governance and business environment for sustainable forest-based activities in line with the 2021-2023 EU programming Forestry & Conservation contributing to Transcendental Environmental Initiative (TEI), sustainable forestry and biodiversity conservation in Liberia.