UN resident co-ordinator plants tree to mark UN Day

Several varieties of trees were planted in the Turnell Plot at Rabacca, as efforts to restore the plot got underway following the devastation caused by the volcanic eruptions in April.

Didier Trebucq planting yellow poui

The tree planting exercise took place on Friday October 29, as part of activities to mark United Nations Day. United Nations (UN) Resident Co-ordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Didier Trebucq planted the first tree, a Yellow Poui, states a release from the Agency for public Information (API).

Trebucq said the eruptions significantly impacted lives and infrastructure and destroyed crops, and the tree planting ceremony rebuilds hope. He added that the occasion served as a strong signal ahead of COP26 for climate change mitigation. He further said the UN will give additional finances to small islands so that they can adapt to climate change. To this end, he applauded the government for its commitment to climate change.

“We are proud as UN to witness this event,” Trebucq said.

Director of Forestry Fitzgerald Providence, said the area has always been dedicated to conservation and his department plans to reforest the entire plot; and fruit trees will be added.

He pointed out that the majority of the trees planted last Friday were Blue Mahoe.

Prior to the tree planting, Trebucq expressed pleasure in visiting St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and share in the activities to mark UN Day. The UN Resident Coordinator reiterated the UN’s commitment to “this lovely nation”.

Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar, said the celebration of UN Day came at a time of overwhelming challenges in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and around the world. And, he commended the UN for its hard work over the years, adding that the young people of SVG, the region, and the world are the beneficiaries of this hard work.

Deputy Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel, used the opportunity to commend the UN and congratulated its founding fathers for their vision.

Other UN agencies in the country: the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Country co-ordinator, La Fleur Quammie, also took part in the tree planting exercise.