ActionAid Secretary General Urges Stronger and Collective Actions to Tackle Liberia’s Plastic Pollution, Calling for Greater Investment in Women and Youth

During his press engagement with Liberian journalists, the Secretary General shared key highlights from his visit to Liberia, including discussion with government officials, civil society actors, youth groups, women-led movements, and local partners organization. He reflected on the outcome of these engagements and reaffirmed ActionAid’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that advance social justice and sustainable development. 

The secretary general also highlighted pressing challenges facing Liberia, particularly the growing threats of climate change and plastic waste pollution that he noticed almost everywhere throughout his visited while in the country. 

Arthur Larok further emphasized the urgent need for increased investment in young people and women, noting that empowering these groups is essential to building a more inclusive resilient, and prosperous future for Liberia. 

He said that Liberia must act decisively to address the growing threats of plastic pollution while making greater investments in women, and youth if it is to build a more sustainable and prosperous. 

The secretary general used the occasion to send out a message on the interconnected challenges of climate change, gender inequality and youth inclusion describing them as critical issues that require an intentional action from government, civil society, communities and development partners while highlighting the work and impact of ActionAid Liberia SPA-II project around climate justice, agroecology, and the environment.

“If there is one thing that I go back to South Africa concerned about, it is the climate crisis,” Larok said. “Flooding, plastics I was really sad. Everywhere I went, the amount of plastics in this country is shocking.” 

The secretary General propose what he described as a “plastic-free Liberia” campaign, urging citizens, government institutions, civil society organizations, and the media to work together in reducing plastic waste across the country. 

“We should start a campaign with all of you a plastic-free Liberia. I’m telling you, it will be impactful,” he said. 

Larok explained that while local efforts such as cleaning beaches, and planting trees are important, long-term solutions to climate change require addressing the root causes of environmental degradation, including excessive reliance on fossil fuels and unsustainable industrial production.  

According to him, ActionAid global climate justice campaign, know as “Fund our future,” advocates for shifting investments away from industries that drive climate change towards renewable energy and community-based solutions. 

Beyond environment concern, Larok praised the impact of ActionAid’s program in rural Liberia, particularly those focused on empowering women and girls. During his visit, he traveled to Gbarma in Gbarpolu County where the Just and Equal Communities project has been working aimed at ending harmful traditional practices and promoting women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights and their empowerment. 

He described his interactions with the women, traditional leaders, and local authorities in Gbarpolu as one of the most inspiring aspects of his trip in Liberia. 

“I could never had read in any statistic the feeling I had interacting with the women and young people in the community,” he said. Stories of women who have left harmful traditional practices and found alternative livelihoods deeply inspired me.” 

Larok emphasized that government and development partners must continue investing in women and women’s leadership. 

“We must continue to invest in women and women’s leadership. This is so important. It has such a powerful multiplier effect,” he noted. 

He also stressed the importance of connecting community-level initiatives with national development strategies to ensure long-term sustainability. 

Touching on youth development in Liberia, Arthur Larok also challenged the long-standing notion that young people merely the leaders of tomorrow, insisting that they should play a greater role in national decision-making today. 

“Youths are not leaders for tomorrow. They are leaders of today because tomorrow is next and it's a day that never comes.” Larok declared. 

Expressing concern about the low representation of young people in governance, he cited reports indicating that although approximately 70 percent of Liberia’s population is youthful, yet young people account for only a small percent of the cabinet member and lawmakers at the legislature, which is less than 2%. 

“We must change this,” he said. “Young people and women should be part of the decision-making process around budget allocation and decisions that are going to impact their country.”

He then encouraged Liberian youth organizations to develop a strong and unified policy agenda that political parties can adopt and implement.

Larok Reflects on Liberia’s Post-conflict Recovery 

Larok also used the occasion to commend Liberia’s progress since the end of its civil conflict, describing the country recovery as an example from which other nations can learn. 

Following meeting with United nations agencies, government institutions and civil society organization, he said Liberia’s achievement in rebuilding peace and stability deserve greater international recognition. 

“The UN reminded us that we must celebrate Liberia’ tremendous reversal of challenges,” Larok said. “Many countries are still struggling, but Liberia has move forward. There is a lot the world can learn from Liberia.”

He further pledged ActionAid’s continued collaboration with government agencies, INGOs, and local partners to strengthen development efforts and mobilize resources for communities around the country. 

Larok visited Liberia from June 15 – 18 and held a series of engagements with key government institutions that have partnered with ActionAid Liberia. He also met with United Nations agencies, international non-governmental organizations, leading civil society organizations and youth groups. 

A major highlight of the visit was his trip to Gbarma in Gbarpolu County, where ActionAid Liberia is Just and Equal Communities Project (JEC). The visit provided him with an opportunity to witness first-hand the impact of the initiative through the experiences of community members and project beneficiaries. 

During this visit, he engaged with local stakeholder, traditional leaders, former female genital mutilation practitioners who now served as change champions, women, youth, and members of Gbarpolu county development council. 

“It is important to hear directly from people whose lives are changing,” Larok said, nothing that such experience offer a deeper understanding of the progress being made and the challenges that remain.” He told journalists in Monrovia Thursday.