MONROVIA – The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the Danish Technical University (DTU) Partnership on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 commenced a three-day inception workshop on the Technology Needs Assessments (TNA) Project.
The TNA project assists developing countries, which are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to determine their technology priorities for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change.
The project is implemented by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Danish Technical University (DTU) Partnership on behalf of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
EPA Executive Director, Hon. Nathanial T. Blama Sr, said the TNA project seeks to transfer technological knowledge and skills from developed countries to Liberia.
Hon. Blama disclosed that as a member of a global village, Liberia benefits from technology advancement including the invention of mobile phones and disclosed that the project seeks to transfer some of those knowledge used to developed phones and other device.
He explained that the project can’t achieve its objectives in the absence of information on Liberia’s technology deficit and called on participants representing line government ministries and agencies to cooperate with the project team by releasing information on their capacities when they are approached.
Hon. Blama explained that the world has evolved from level to level and disclosed that in other parts of the world people are leaning on their strength to do research and development.
“To develop your capacities to adapt to the change in the environment or the occurrences within the environment, you can’t do it with your naked eye. You can’t do it with your naked instance. It has to be through technology advancement,” he said.
UNEP Liberia Country Coordinator, Lucy Gregersen corroborated that the project is intended to help Liberia prioritize technologies that can contribute or adapt to climate change.
According to her, the TNA project is a country driven process and should take national development goal or renewal energy plans into consideration.
“It is also a participatory process where the involvement of all stakeholders is crucial which is why we have asked you all to join us today,” Madam Gregersen said.
She indicated that the value of involving the different stakeholders in the process means that the country will become stronger in tackling climate change, especially as the TNA provides a road for stakeholder to join in the country technological and innovation system in a climate change.”
Madam Gregersen lauded EPA Executive Director Blama for organization of the workshop and the warmed welcome afforded her team members.
Also speaking, Dr. Bothwell Batidziral, Senior Research Officer at Cape Town University, South Africa pointed out that the workshop signifies the launch of the TNA project in Liberia.
Dr. Batidziral disclosed that each of the participant represent key institution in the country that is expected to contribute to the project and its implementation.