Liberia is placing environmental protection and sustainable cooling at the center of its development agenda as President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. declares September 16, 2026, International Ozone Day across the country.
The proclamation calls on citizens, government ministries and agencies, foreign residents, and national and international organizations to join Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency in programs and activities marking the occasion.
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The observance highlights the importance of the ozone layer, which protects people and ecosystems from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Its preservation is closely linked to public health, agriculture, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and the broader environmental well-being of Liberia and the planet.
The occasion also recognizes the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer as an important example of international cooperation guided by scientific knowledge. The agreement has provided a framework for countries to reduce substances that threaten the ozone layer while advancing coordinated environmental action.
For Liberia, the 2026 observance carries additional significance as it marks a decade since the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The amendment established a global effort to phase down hydrofluorocarbons, powerful greenhouse gases widely used in refrigeration and air-conditioning, while encouraging more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable cooling technologies.
Liberia is highlighting the transition to climate-friendly cooling as an important opportunity for the country, particularly as demand for refrigeration and air-conditioning continues to grow. Efficient cooling systems have applications across households, businesses, health facilities, agriculture, schools, industries and communities.
The government says achieving this transition will require cooperation across Liberia’s economy and society. Government institutions, private companies, refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians, importers and distributors, academic and technical institutions, development partners, civil society, young people and local communities all have roles to play in expanding sustainable cooling solutions.
Liberia’s commitment also forms part of its broader pursuit of sustainable development, climate resilience, environmental protection, public health and an inclusive green economy. As a party to the Montreal Protocol and its amendments, the country is continuing efforts to strengthen the responsible management and phase-down of ozone-depleting substances and refrigerants with high global-warming potential.
The 2026 observance is being held under the global theme “Global Action for a Cooler Planet,” providing Liberia with an opportunity to connect ozone protection with practical action on climate, technology and sustainable development.
By bringing government, businesses, technical professionals and communities into the conversation, Liberia is using International Ozone Day to highlight how environmental protection can also support healthier communities, more efficient technologies and a more sustainable economy.
