IVORY COAST-President George Weah is urging his counterparts in the ECOWAS region and the African Continent, to collectively take action to effectively preserve protect and manage land.

President Weah said:” Land is a major natural resource that is often taken for granted, as such, it is important for Heads of State and Governments to take collective action against its depletion and degradation.”

The Liberian Leader spoke at the just ended Summit of Heads of State on Drought, Resilience and Sustainable Land Management in the Ivory   Coast.

President Weah also stated that financial assistance or support is an essential element in addressing land degradation and ecosystem restoration, to avoid drought.

The Liberian Chief Executive commended the various international mechanisms, such as Global Environment Facility and Green Climate Fund, among other things, for working with countries to address the issue of combating drought, reducing desertification and restoring lost land.

President George Weah who left the Country on Sunday, May 8, 2022, is attending the conference along with other Heads of State, and also participating in other sideline discussions.

Meanwhile, President George Weah has boasted that Liberia has one of the highest rainfalls on the African Continent, and is not a drought-stricken country.

However, President Weah said in preparation for the unknown future, his Government in 2029 completed and submitted the first National Drought Plan.

The Liberian Leader said the plan is in fulfillment of the objectives of the UN Convention to Combat Drought and Land Degradation.

He said:” My Government has also committed itself to ensuring that at least thirty-percent of the Country’s forest remains untouched, and this is possible through the establishment of several protected areas.”

President Weah also announced that through the effort of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and partners, five of such protected areas have already been established.

Additionally, with support from the Liberia Forest Sector Project funded by the Norwegian Government, with technical support from the FAO, President Weah stated that the Liberian Forestry Development Authority conducted and published the first National Forest Inventory in 2021.

The Liberian Leader told the Summit that the National Forest Inventory is the first inventory conducted in the last thirty years.

The President is expected back in the country today, May 10, 2022.