Liberia's National Focal Point for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) is Mrs. Frances Browne Seydou. Mrs. Seydou currently works at the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) as Manager for Intersectoral Coordination and leads the ABS project efforts, focusing on awareness, education and policy for genetic resources. She holds a BSc degree in Biology, and masters in public health. Her work focuses on supporting institutional frameworks for ABS implementation, coordination of consultation with government agencies, development partners and local communities. She has a strong interest in biodiversity conservation, protection of traditional knowledge, equitable benefit-sharing and sustainable development. Contact: Email: fseydou@epa.gov.lr Tel: +231886554295/+231776199207

Please provide more information on your response and a summary of difficulties and challenges encountered. The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia is the primary national focal institution responsible for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS). The institution is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in Liberia, including data compilation, policy development and compliance with ABS Clearing-House requirements and reporting.

1.Regarding the publication of competent national authorities in the ABS Clearing-House, Liberia is working to establish institutional frameworks, including training for national authorities and developing administrative systems for ABS.

Liberia has initiated the process of establishing monitoring systems for the Nagoya Protocol, but it has not yet concluded the designation of formal Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) checkpoints.

Liberia is actively establishing Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) measures under the Nagoya Protocol, managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Key actions include drafting ABS legislation, establishing permitting systems, and conducting public awareness. Drafting Challenges: Competing priorities for the EPA have been cited for the lack of progress in finalizing the National ABS bill. But, support from the ABS Capacity Development Initiative was previously in place. Related Legislation: The Act Adopting the National Wildlife Conservation and Protected Area Management Law (2016) and the Environmental Protection and Management Law (2003) currently provide the regulatory framework for natural resource management, including Nagoya Protocol obligations.

3.The Access and Benefit-Sharing framework is still under development; and once that is completed, the country will commence the publication of same in the ABS Clearing-House.

The relevant national policies and laws, including the community rights law, the wildlife and protected areas and conservation law, the land right act, etc. all point free prior informed consent.

5.Challenges still exist with the developing the requisite mechanisms monitoring, and compliance mechanisms for fair and non-arbitrary rules and procedures on accessing genetic resources.

Liberia has developed a National FPIC for communities. The Liberia National FPIC guidelines is a guide for engagements between communities and investors and would-be investors who would want to invest on communities’ land such as mining, agriculture, fisheries and sustainable forest management (Logging, community forests, conservation, etc.),

No, Liberia has not yet published information on how to apply for PIC on the ABS clearing-House through the ABS procedures common format

6.The establishment of rules and procedures relative to the application for PIC on the ABS Clearing-House are still in progress under the wider ABS legislation finalization process.

7.A fully functional system for a clear and transparent written decision by a competent national authority is still under development.

The rules and procedures for requiring and establishing mutually agreed terms are expected to form part of the legislation.

As a party to the CBD and adhering to the Nagoya Protocol, Liberia utilizes national policies, including the National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (NBSAP), to regulate access and require mutually agreed terms for sharing benefits from the utilization, application, and commercialization of its genetic resources.

Some steps have been taken to establish measures aimed at ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the utilization of genetic resources with indigenous peoples and local communities. However, the implementation of these measures is an ongoing process, and the national legislation is still undergoing development.

Some steps have been taken to establish measures aimed at ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the utilization of genetic resources with indigenous peoples and local communities. However, the implementation of these measures is an ongoing process, and the national legislation is still undergoing development.

Liberia is establishing legal frameworks and working on guidelines to ensure that genetic resources are accessed in accordance with Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) and Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT). However, the implementation is ongoing, with a focus on raising awareness and developing specific regulatory instruments.

In the absence of an enacted legislation, this action cannot be enforced.

The situation for cooperated with other Parties in cases of alleged violation of ABS measures relating to genetic resources has not arisen.

Liberia has taken initial steps toward establishing a legal framework for Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge (TK) in line with the Nagoya Protocol. But the implementation is an ongoing process rather than a fully established, comprehensive, and widely effective system.

13.This condition for cooperation with other Parties in cases of non-compliance hasn’t been considered because the legal frameworks and appropriate measures and guidelines are yet to be developed.

14.This condition for cooperation with other Parties in cases of alleged violation of ABS measures relating to traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources hasn’t been considered because the legal frameworks and appropriate measures and guidelines are yet to be developed.

Designation of formal Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) checkpoints are yet to be decided.

This is consistence with Liberia’s Freedom of Information Act of 2010 which provides for “Access to information”, right of the public to request, receive, review, reproduce and retain records and documents held by public bodies and private entities performing public functions or receiving public funding.

Please explain your response.[ This could include information on how your country is encouraging the use of cost-effective communication tools and systems or on progress made towards implementing this provision of the Protocol. Links to relevant online tools may be provided in response to question 24.] This is consistence with Liberia’s Freedom of Information Act of 2010 which provides for every public authority or body shall be widely accessible, and the hard and or soft copies of the scheme shall be available at the offices of the authority and at other reasonable public places.

Yes, Liberia is actively working to incorporate robust, clear dispute resolution mechanisms within its Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework as it strengthens its biodiversity management, although specific, publicly detailed MAT templates are still being finalized. Additionally, the Forestry Development Authority, EPA and development partners over the years have developed site specific or regional level Feedback and Grievance Redress Mechanisms. For example, the Feedback and Grievance Redress Mechanism for Forest communities around Lake Piso and Gola National Forest landscapes in Liberia.

The Investment Act of 2010 section 7.2 provides for the any expropriation of an enterprise to which this Act applies by the State unless the expropriation is in the national interest for a public purpose, is the least burdensome available means to satisfy that overriding public purpose, is made on a non-discriminatory basis, in accordance with due process of law, and is under a law which makes provision for— (a) payment of fair and adequate compensation; and (b) a right of access to the Civil Law Court or any court of competent jurisdiction for the determination of the investor's interest or right and the amount of compensation to which he is entitled, which compensation shall be fair market value.

Liberia has taken measures regarding to justice in the draft ABS national legislation pending ratification by the Liberia legislator.

In addition to Liberia being a party to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, (recognition and enforcement of foreign judgements and arbitral awards arising ABS disputes) is an integra part of its ABS national legislation.

While the legislation is still in draft, Liberia has made progress in encouraging research and capacity building through the establishment of the School of Environmental Studies and climate change at the University of Liberia, where MSc Climate Change and Biodiversity is now office, as well as the revision of the BSc. Forestry to cover Forestry, Biodiversity and Conservation. Furthermore, the EPA has also provided grants to the University of Liberia and Nimba University to establish botanical gardens to boost research.

The finalization of the ABS legislation is still in progress.

In developing and implementing its ABS legislation and related regulatory measures, Liberia has recognized the importance of genetic resources for food and agriculture and their role in food security, but this consideration has not yet been fully operationalized through a dedicated ABS legal framework. Liberia’s policy instruments, including the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), the Environmental Protection and Management Law, and sectoral policies in agriculture and forestry, acknowledge the value of crop genetic diversity, forest genetic resources, fisheries, and traditional farming systems for livelihoods and national food security. These policies promote conservation, sustainable use, and community participation, which are relevant to ABS objectives. However, specific ABS provisions tailored to food and agriculture, such as simplified access procedures for non-commercial agricultural research, clear benefit-sharing arrangements for farmers and local communities, or alignment with international instruments like the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), are still under development. As a result, implementation remains partial and largely policy-based rather than legally binding and operational.

They make up the vast majority of the population, belonging to indigenous ethnic groups. These communities are distinct from the Americo-Liberian population

Please explain your response and if applicable, provide information on the domestic law establishing rights of indigenous peoples and local communities to grant access to genetic resources. Under Liberia’s domestic legal framework, local communities have partial and evolving rights related to access to genetic resources, but these rights are not yet fully articulated or operationalized within a comprehensive draft ABS law. Liberia’s Land Rights Act (2018) recognizes customary land ownership and strengthens community authority over land and natural resources. In addition, sectoral laws and policies in forestry, wildlife, and environmental management acknowledge community participation and consent in resource use. These instruments provide an important basis for community involvement in decisions affecting genetic resources found on customary land. However, Liberia does not yet have a dedicated, fully enacted ABS law that explicitly and consistently establishes the legal right of indigenous peoples and local communities to grant access to genetic resources in line with the Nagoya Protocol. Procedures for prior informed consent (PIC) and mutually agreed terms (MAT) specific to ABS are still under development, and implementation remains fragmented across sectors.

With the Environmental Protection and Management Law, the Forestry Development Law these measures are in placed.

They are provided for laws, including the community rights law, the wildlife and protected areas and conservation law, the land right act, etc.

Has your country set out criteria and/or process for obtaining prior informed consent or approval and involvement of indigenous peoples and local communities for access to genetic resources? Yes Yes, to some extent No

Has your country set out criteria and/or process for obtaining prior informed consent or approval and involvement of indigenous peoples and local communities for access to genetic resources? Yes Yes, to some extent No

Liberia has partial mechanisms in place to inform potential users of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources about their obligations, with some participation of local communities, but these mechanisms are not yet fully institutionalized under a dedicated ABS framework. Information on user obligations has been communicated primarily through awareness-raising activities, stakeholder consultations, and sectoral engagement processes led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and partner institutions. These efforts include community dialogues, workshops, and public education initiatives linked to the NBSAP, forestry and environmental permitting processes, and PIC practices, which help convey expectations around consent, benefit-sharing, and respectful use of traditional knowledge. However, formal mechanisms required by the Nagoya Protocol, such as standardized guidance for users, community-endorsed protocols, or ABS-specific notification systems developed with the effective participation of local communities, are still under development. As a result, outreach to potential users remains project-based and uneven, rather than consistent nationwide.

Liberia has taken initial and indirect steps to support the development of community-level approaches relevant to community protocols, minimum requirements for mutually agreed terms (MAT), and model contractual clauses, including consideration of women’s participation within local communities, but this support remains limited and not yet formalized under a dedicated ABS framework. Support to date has occurred mainly through broader community engagement, FPIC-related processes, and capacity-building initiatives led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and partners under the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), forestry and land governance reforms, and donor-supported projects. These initiatives have promoted community awareness of rights, participation in decision-making, and inclusion of women and vulnerable groups in consultations related to natural resource use. However, Liberia has not yet systematically supported the development of formal community protocols, ABS-specific minimum MAT requirements, or nationally recognized model contractual clauses developed by communities themselves, as envisaged under Article 12.3 of the Nagoya Protocol. The absence of finalized national ABS legislation and implementing regulations has limited the ability to provide structured technical and financial support for such processes.

The new National Forest Reform law and the Community Rights Law explicitly support the use and exchange of genetic resource and associated traditional knowledge within local communities. Additionally, the country has generally endeavored not to restrict the customary use and exchange of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge among local communities, primarily through recognition of customary practices in broader land, forestry, and environmental governance frameworks. The Land Rights Act (2018) and sectoral policies support customary tenure and traditional resource use, which helps safeguard long-standing community practices related to seeds, medicinal plants, and other biological resources. However, these protections are indirect and not yet codified within a dedicated ABS legal framework. Liberia does not currently have explicit ABS-specific provisions that formally guarantee the non-restriction of customary use and exchange in line with Article 12.4 of the Nagoya Protocol. As a result, practice relies on general policy principles and sectoral safeguards rather than clear, nationally standardized ABS rules.

Publicly available information does not yet demonstrate clear evidence of concrete, operationalized benefit-sharing mechanisms in place that specifically channel benefits back to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use within Liberia. National ABS legislation is still under development, and implementation capacity remains limited.

Please explain your response and provide, if available, supporting data or examples of impact at national and/or local levels. • Liberia is legally committed under the Nagoya Protocol to link benefit-sharing from genetic resources to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. This reflects early stages of national ABS law development and implementation capacity rather than active success stories

Under the project “Development of Sustainable Financing Plan for REDD+ Programs in the Ziama Wonegizi – Wologizi (ZWW) Landscapes in the Northwest Liberia and Southwest Guinea” which involve local communities in Liberia and Guinea, was initiated to promote biodiversity conservation and climate-resilient, low emissions development (LED) in West Africa with the objectives of coordinating transboundary collaboration and Sustainable Finance Mechanisms such as Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and REDD+ for the long-term management of protected areas and conservation corridors, focusing on cooperation between Guinea and Liberia to strengthen the ZWW Transboundary.

Through the “Development of Sustainable Financing Plan for REDD+ Programs in the Ziama Wonegizi – Wologizi (ZWW) Landscapes in the Northwest Liberia and Southwest Guinea” project, both countries collaborated and shared experiences on biodiversity conservation.

This is dependent on the legislation been developed.

Codes of conduct, guidelines, etc. are being considered in the legislation in progress.

Please explain your response and, if applicable, provide a summary of activities carried out during the reporting period. Between 2017–2025, Liberia actively implemented awareness-raising measures on genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and access and benefit-sharing (ABS), primarily through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). These efforts included public education campaigns, stakeholder workshops, and integration of ABS issues into national biodiversity policy frameworks. Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency conducted information dissemination and education programs on ABS, focusing on communities, universities, and policymakers. Besides, a series of Radio programs, schools, community dialogues, and printed materials were used to explain the Nagoya Protocol and its relevance to Liberia’s biodiversity. Liberia developed a biodiversity conservation and sustainable management ,communication strategy for NBSAP implementation, and conducted capacity building trainings for media professionals and traditional leaders. Liberia’s NBSAP (2017–2025): The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan explicitly prioritized awareness of genetic resources and traditional knowledge. It emphasized community involvement and education as critical to biodiversity conservation. Liberia aligned its national strategies with the Nagoya Protocol, ensuring that awareness measures were embedded in broader biodiversity and climate policies.

Liberia has adopted awareness-raising measures for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS), though rather than a single formal “national strategy document,” these efforts have been embedded in broader biodiversity and ABS implementation programs led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has spearheaded public awareness, education, and information dissemination on ABS since Liberia ratified he Nagoya Protocol in 2015. More to that, awareness-raising was embedded in the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 2017–2025), which prioritized education and outreach on genetic resources and ABS. Additionally, Liberia participated in regional ABS awareness initiatives supported by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and partners.

he Nagoya Protocol in 2015. More to that, awareness-raising was embedded in the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 2017–2025), which prioritized education and outreach on genetic resources and ABS. Additionally, Liberia participated in regional ABS awareness initiatives supported by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and partners. enhanced its technical capacity through specialized training and the establishment of focal units to coordinate ABS implementation. Part of this effort, Liberia participated in African regional ABS dialogues and capacity-building programs supported by international partners.

Liberia’s role in supporting other Parties to implement the Nagoya Protocol has been limited but present, mainly through regional collaboration, peer learning, and participation in international forums rather than direct large-scale capacity-building programs abroad. Liberia has participated in African regional ABS workshops and dialogues, sharing its experiences in developing national ABS frameworks. These exchanges allowed Liberia to contribute lessons learned from its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and ABS implementation efforts. Liberia’s active participation in various COP meetings, the Country contributed to collective knowledge-building among Parties. In most of these meetings, Liberian delegates shared practical insights on institutional challenges and community engagement, strengthening regional understanding of ABS implementation. Besides, Liberia has joined multi-country projects supported by UNEP, UNDP, and the World Bank, where capacity-building activities were designed to benefit multiple Parties. Through these initiatives, Liberia both received and shared technical expertise, contributing to broader regional capacity development.

During the reporting period, Liberia has made significant progress in advancing Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) through programs supported by international partners, particularly the World Bank. These initiatives emphasized reliance on international cooperation and donor support for implementing ABS frameworks. Early exposure to technology transfer mechanisms was achieved through projects that focused on strengthening monitoring systems and institutional capacity. The introduction of biodiversity data management systems and reporting tools laid the groundwork for improved tracking of genetic resources, ensuring that Liberia could begin to establish a more robust and transparent ABS governance structure. A notable achievement was the development and deployment of forest monitoring software for the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Climate Promise Phase II Project, with funding from the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The software was developed by Web Essentials, an international firm contracted to strengthen Liberia’s forest governance systems. It enables FDA Rangers and GIS specialists to track, monitor, and report on forest conservation, deforestation, and forest regeneration. In March 2024, the EPA and FDA jointly organized a training workshop in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, where 20 Rangers and technicians from five regional offices and Monrovia were trained in the use of the new tool. Liberia engaged in programmes supported by the World Bank, which emphasized reliance on international cooperation and donor support for implementing ABS frameworks. These initiatives provided early exposure to technology transfer mechanisms, particularly in monitoring systems and institutional strengthening. Early efforts focused on introducing biodiversity data management systems and reporting tools, laying the groundwork for improved tracking of genetic resources. Between 2020 and 2024, Liberia benefited from partnerships with the CBD Secretariat and the African Union, which supplied technical tools and expertise for biodiversity monitoring. Technology transfer during this period included the adoption of advanced biodiversity data management systems, enabling more effective monitoring and reporting of ABS-related activities. Training and awareness programmes supported government staff and researchers in applying new technologies to strengthen compliance and oversight. In 2025, Liberia entered a new phase of technological advancement through a bilateral agreement signed in Monrovia. This agreement emphasized science and technology collaboration in smart agriculture, digital education, e-health, and e-governance. A key innovation was Liberia’s adoption of the Integrated Planning and Reporting Toolkit (IPRT), enabling the digitalization of monitoring and reporting of ABS-related commitments. This innovation enhanced transparency, efficiency, and alignment with national development plans. Collaborative programmes such as the Partnership for Research on Vaccines and Infectious Diseases in Liberia (PREVAIL) further reinforced Liberia’s scientific infrastructure. While primarily health-focused, PREVAIL contributed to building systems for ethical data use, transparent benefit-sharing, and policy integration, which align closely with ABS objectives. Additional cooperation occurred through biodiversity-related projects under the UNDP Small Grants Programme, which supported traditional agro-ecological farming systems and endangered species conservation. These initiatives not only advanced biodiversity stewardship but also promoted community resilience and sustainable livelihoods, ensuring that benefits derived from genetic resources are equitably shared. The EPA partnered with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and UNDP to strengthen ABS governance and integrate biodiversity into national planning. Cross-sectoral cooperation between ministries, universities, and NGOs such as the Liberia Environmental Agricultural & Research Network (LEARN) supported curriculum reform and stakeholder engagement. Liberia also actively participated in COP26, COP27, COP28, and African Climate Weeks, aligning ABS with broader climate and biodiversity agendas.

Liberia hasn’t developed its financial resources mobilization plan; as such, making financial or other resources available to other Parties for the purpose of implementing the Protocol during the reporting period is pending

During the reporting period, Liberia received financial and technical resources from international partners and financial institutions to support implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. These resources were critical in advancing national capacity, strengthening institutional frameworks, and facilitating technology transfer in line with Article 23 and Article 25 commitments. Support from the World Bank enabled Liberia to initiate biodiversity monitoring programmes and strengthen institutional governance. UNDP, through the Climate Promise Phase II Project, provided funding from DEFRA and BMZ to develop and deploy forest monitoring software for the Forestry Development Authority. This innovation enhanced Liberia’s ability to track deforestation, forest regeneration, and conservation activities. The CBD Secretariat and the African Union supplied technical tools and expertise, particularly in biodiversity data management systems, which improved monitoring and reporting of ABS-related activities. UNEP support for the ratification of the Nagoya protocol.

Liberia has not established a budgetary allocations of funds for the operation due to the ABS law that is still pending approval

Liberia does not have full time staff working in functions directly related to Nagoya Protocol implementation. The ABS Focal point is work with the CBD Focal Point in termes of implementation

No, Liberia is not a party to a specialized international access and benefit-sharing instrument