June 13, 2023
I am honored to speak on behalf of Ambassador Eugene Young and the entire U.S. Embassy community to commend the hard work of students, teachers, parents, and members of the Association Protecting the Environment Association (PEA).
As we all know, one of President Sassou’s main priorities is to protect the environment and work together to reduce the negative effects of climate change. I’m sure you all learned in school what climate change is and how important Congo is for the whole world. The Congo rainforest is one of the planet’s main sources of oxygen, or one of the world’s lungs, and it’s vital that we all work together to help protect it.
Climate change is a global challenge. The United States is working hand-in-hand with regional partners and the Congolese government to drive decarbonization efforts, promote sustainable economic growth and a greener future.
Deforestation must stop, worldwide, so that we can meet our climate and conservation goals. The United States is committed to a multilateral approach to halt deforestation and address the climate crisis.
During Environment Day on June 5, the United States reaffirmed its commitment to seek solutions to end the release of plastic into the environment by 2040. Urgent, global action is needed to combat pollution plastics.
I would like to congratulate the Protecting the Environment Association (PEA) on their initiative for launching this program, the second of its kind after the first competition in Makelekele.
Congratulations to the schools for your active participation in this program and congratulations to the winning schools.
I would like to invite you to keep cleaning up your school! Everyone should continue to grab gloves and a bag and get to work cleaning and sprucing up their school. Remember that it will improve your daily life and help improve the environment.
