The global Climate Change is posing a serious a serious threat to Liberia, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf alarmed Monday while opening the 2009 Consultation on Climate Change, Human Rights, Peace and Security in Monrovia.

The Liberian leader said her Government is revitalizing the National Disaster Relief Commission to educate the public about disaster risk education, a measure she said would help the public respond more effectively to disasters.

Speaking at the conference taking place at the 1st United Methodist Church in Monrovia under the auspices of the All Africa Council of Churches in collaboration with the Liberian Council of Churches, President Sirleaf said climate change constitutes a threat, and called for a vigorous approach to alleviate it.

The President spoke of the threat of rising sea level and beach erosion which continues to affect the coastal terrain of the country.

Liberia, the President said, is losing territory all along its coastline, which serves as home to over 50 percent of the country's population. Monrovia, the President pointed out, is almost below sea level and is equally being impacted.

The President spoke of the need to raise awareness among Liberians public about the consequences of their actions relating to the environment as well as the preservation of the country's ecosystem.

Several coastal cities of the country, including its capital, Monrovia, Buchanan City (Grand Bassa County) Harper City (Maryland County) and Robertsports City (Grand Cape Mount County), among others have recently suffered sea erosions causing the displacement of hundreds of citizens.

As the rainy season sets in, more of these disasters are expected, prompting the Liberian leader to set up a disaster relief committee.

National Inter-Ministerial Dialogue

The impacts of climate change - and how Liberia can learn to better understand the magnitude of funds needed to tackle climate change now and in the long term - will be discussed at a National Inter-Ministerial Dialogue that will also be held at the Cape Hotel in Monrovia on 24-26 June 2009, the UNDP statement issued Monday says.

Discussions will focus in particular on the impacts of climate change on the key sector of agriculture, approaches for more efficient energy uses, and ways in which forests can be used for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.

Agriculture is a key sector for Liberia, estimated to employ over 70% of the entire labour force and contribute around 20% of GDP. Timber exports also contribute around 20-22% of GDP. But climate change will negatively impact upon livestock production, reduce soil fertility, and water scarcity is predicted to increase.

Meanwhile, the timber industry releases greenhouse gases. Currently 95% of Liberia's energy comes from biomass (firewood, charcoal, and palm oil) - to move into energy production will require significant investments. All three sectors share linkages that need to be considered more holistically.

The Dialogue will also raise awareness about important international climate talks that are currently underway that could have implications for national policies. The "Bali Road Map" discussions, which began in December 2007 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process, have a timeline for reaching agreement on a number of international negotiations issues on climate change by December 2009 in Copenhagen.

The Dialogue has been organized by UNDP and the Environmental Protection Agency as part of a global project in which Liberia is participating.

There are 20 countries in total participating in the $US 7million project, Capacity Development for Policy Makers to Address Climate Change.

In addition to this National Inter-Ministerial Dialogue, the government will also undertake an assessment of the magnitude of investments required to tackle climate change now and in the long-term for the key sectors of agriculture, energy and forestry.

The analysis of investment and financial flows to address ways to reduce greenhouse gases and also adapt to climate change impacts is an important activity for the development of effective and appropriate national responses to climate change.

Human Rights & Security Issues

Meanwhile speaking Monday on sub-regional issues at the 2009 Consultation on Climate Change, Human Rights, Peace and Security, the Liberian leader reiterated that human rights will continue to be violated in the absence of peace and security in West Africa.

She observed that the sub-region is seen as the most volatile on the continent, an assessment, she noted, is vindicated by the presence of some 25,000 UN peacekeeping and peace-building missions in Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The President noted that to reduce the potential for violence, her Government is building a capable and democratically accountable military force by training a 2,000-personnel Armed Forces of Liberia, as well as police and other security-related personnel.

In a bid to underscore that peace and security are prerequisites for sustained economic progress and poverty reduction in Liberia, the President stressed that sustainable peace depends upon the ability to create inclusive economic opportunities and deliver basic socials services.

She also added that basic infrastructure is required for broad-based growth and delivery of services nationwide. Governance and the rule of law, she noted, provides the institutional base for strong economic performance and poverty alleviation.

The Liberian leader expressed the hope that, at the end of their deliberations, conference delegates would reach decisions that would be beneficial to Liberia and the sub-region.