In Commemoration of World Environment Day, Coaches United Nations Simulation (CUNS) embarked on a beach cleaning exercise on Saturday, June 5th, 2021 at Fajara Beach – Leybato. World Environment Day is celebrated annually by the United Nations (UN) and all its agencies with the goal of raising awareness and educating people on environmental issues, climate change conditions, environmental threats and environmental protection among other topics. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Ecosystem Restoration’.

The event was held at Fajara beach (Leybato) with support from the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) and the Gambia Tourism Board (GTB). The KMC leadership team provided tools and resources such as garbage bags, gloves, face masks, rakes and brooms to the COIF team to ensure a successful event. The Gambia Tourism Board on the other hand supported the event by sending a team of beach cleaners called the Tourism Environmental Sanitary Service Unit (TESSU) to join the youths in the cleaning exercise as well as disposal of the garbage at the designated dump site.

The beach cleaning exercise kicked off at 10:30am with introduction of the TESSU team and followed by a brief overview of Coaches of Influence Foundation (COIF) and the CUNS program it launched in February 2021. The opening ceremony was facilitated by Hon. Samuel Mendy – Secretary General of CUNS together with Hon. Abdou Karim Badjie – Under-Secretary General, Political Affairs and other Hon. members of the CUNS Secretariat. In their deliberations, they emphasized the significance of the day and the vision of CUNS to become the leader in championing the ideals and efforts of the United Nations in building a sustainable world.

The leader of the beach cleaning team shared that his unit are tasked with the cleaning and general upkeep of the shores from Bakau to Coco Ocean therefore; they were extremely grateful to receive support and help from the COIF youth on such a significant occasion. The cleaning covered the shoreline of Fajara beach hotel and the entire area.

The event concluded with closing remarks delivered by Hon. Caroline Goddard – Deputy Secretary General of CUNS. She expressed gratitude to the KMC and GTB for their support and partnership to ensure a successful event. A member of TESSU team further emphasized the benefit of maintaining clean beaches which is the responsibility of every citizen and not just a single group of individuals. In his own words, he stated; “…as responsible citizens and members of our society, we should make it our duty to keep the beaches clean. It is not good behavior to have garbage lying around can be detrimental to our health, the well-being of the sea creatures and damage our environment. Additionally, he urged the COIF youths to continue partnering with them to keep the beaches clean so we can all enjoy the fresh breeze, a clean environment and sustainable world for our generation and the ones to come.

The world environment day celebration 2021 was a success and we are looking forward to the next event soon.