MONROVIA, LIBERIA- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has signed an agreement with three service providers to protect and manage community-based forests in Liberia.

The service providers include the Sustainable Development Institute, Nature Compact, and Foundation for Community Initiative.

They are to support the establishment and management of designated Community forests in ten communities in the country.

Speaking on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at the signing ceremony in Monrovia, FAO Representative to Liberia, Benita Tchacaya, called on the organizations to be dedicated to the implementation of the agreement.

Madam Benita Tchacaya wants the service providers to use a community-driven approach to protect and manage ten forest communities.

At the same time, Swedish Embassy Program Officer for Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Jenkins Flahwor, said:” The agreement will create change in the ten forest communities.”

Mr. Flahwor noted that the agreement will also provide alternative livelihoods for the people by empowering them to protect their respective forests.

He said alternative livelihoods are essential for the protection and management of the forests.

Mr. Flahwor pledged the Swedish Embassy’s Commitment to work along with FAO in supporting service providers to protect and manage Liberia’s vast forest.

Also speaking, Sustaining Development Institute Executive Director, Wilfred Gray Johnson, thanked the FAO and Swedish Embassy for support vowing to actualize the agreement.