Development of a Frame Harmonized Legislation to Implement Forestry-Related MEAs

Recently, Liberia decided to revise the work already done under forest-related national legislation to expand and include an integrated harmonized legislation on implementation of biodiversity-related MEAs. In response to the request from Liberia, UNEP has been providing assistance to Liberia, in partnership with the Green Advocates (a Liberian NGO), the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and the US Forestry Service, in revising the legislation and regulations to incorporate Liberia’s international commitments, including relevant provisions of MEAs and other international environmental law.

The first draft of the legislation was prepared by the Green Advocates, followed by comments submitted by UNEP and ELI, as well as the review workshop. The draft legislation will assist Liberia and other post-conflict developing nations in developing domestic law and policy to implement forest-related provisions contained in multiple MEAs. In addition to the draft and detailed commentary provided by UNEP and ELI, ELI is preparing a supplementary document that will briefly set out the elements of a national forest law to establish the authority and mandate for the detailed draft regulations prepared by Green Advocates.

List of activities

• Participation in two regional workshops organized by the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) convened in Grand Bassa and Rivercess Counties, in September 2005 to gather public comments on the draft