Liberia Pushes for Fairer Maritime Rules as Global Climate Talks Continue

MONROVIA -Liberia is calling for a fairer and more practical approach to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions from international shipping, warning that the global push toward net-zero emissions must not create a heavy economic burden for developing countries.

The call came as Liberia presented its proposed alternative approach to the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Net-Zero Framework during a high-level engagement with United Nations Member States.

According to a press release issued by Liberia, the country supports efforts to reduce emissions from international shipping but wants the transition to take into account the economic challenges faced by developing countries.

The release said Liberia believes the transition “must be pragmatic, realistic, performance-based, affordable, scalable, equitable and legally coherent within the mandate of the IMO.”

Liberia, a major flag State and a developing country whose economy and history are closely connected to the sea, said climate action and economic protection should move together. A major concern raised in the press release is the possible effect of higher shipping costs on developing countries.

International shipping is responsible for transporting food, fuel, medicines, machinery, construction materials and other essential goods around the world.

The release warned that “significant increases in the cost of maritime transportation could have consequences beyond the shipping sector, potentially affecting food security, energy security, inflation, trade competitiveness and sustainable development.”

The press release said these possible economic effects should be considered alongside the environmental goals of maritime decarbonization.

It also called for country-specific economic impact assessments, noting that developing countries have different economic structures, trade patterns, technology, infrastructure and access to financing.

“Developing countries have different economic structures, trade profiles, technological capabilities, infrastructure, access to finance and levels of dependence on maritime transportation,” the release stated.

Liberia’s proposed approach focuses on measures that could help the shipping industry reduce emissions while limiting economic disruption.

According to the press release, the proposal includes commercially viable alternative fuels, improved technology and shipping operations, infrastructure development and capacity-building.

The release also called for support mechanisms for developing countries to be “predictable, transparent, equitable and genuinely responsive to the needs of developing countries.”

Liberia said developing countries should not be expected to carry major economic costs first and then wait for assistance afterward. Instead, the release stated that “the transition should be designed from the outset to minimize disproportionate economic consequences.”

The press release also called for evidence-based decision-making before new measures with major economic effects are introduced.

It said the IMO should consider the technical reliability, legal basis, affordability, availability and scalability of proposed measures and alternative fuels across different regions, ports and shipping routes.

The release said such considerations are necessary to build a framework that can gain the confidence of IMO Member States and be effectively implemented. “Net zero must not become a new burden on developing countries,” the press release emphasized.

Instead, Liberia said the transition should create opportunities for “investment, innovation, technology transfer, infrastructure development and capacity-building” while protecting trade, food security and sustainable development.

The press release made clear that Liberia is not calling for a reduction in global climate ambitions.

Rather, it said Liberia wants the maritime industry’s climate goals to be achieved alongside sustainable economic development. “Liberia does not seek to weaken global climate ambition,” the release stated.

The country said the IMO’s success will depend on the meaningful participation and confidence of all its Member States, including developed and developing countries, large and small nations, flag States and coastal States.

The release said Liberia will continue working with IMO Member States and other stakeholders toward a framework that is “environmentally ambitious, economically responsible and equitable for all Member States.”

The IMO and its Member States are expected to continue deliberations on the Net-Zero Framework during the next session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), scheduled for November 2026.

According to the press release, Liberia is expected to remain actively involved in the discussions leading up to and during the MEPC session, with the aim of contributing to an outcome that balances environmental goals with the economic realities of developing countries.