Commemoration of Africa Environment and Wangari Maathai Day

In the context of the celebration of the Africa Environment and Wangari Maathai Day, a Mangrove and Tree Planting ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade at the Amphitheatre of Pointe Canon in Mahébourg.

The Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Dhananjay Ramful; Junior Ministers David and Narsinghen, and Members of the National Assembly; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Congo to the Republic of Mauritius with residence in Mozambique, Mr Constant-Serge Bounda; as well as other personalities were present at the event.

In his address, Minister Boolell praised the synergy between his Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade for the commemoration of the Africa Environment and Wangari Maathai Day in Mauritius. He underpinned that the event is celebrated at a symbolic location, that is in the vicinity of an ecological disaster that occurred following the grounding of MV Wakashio at Pointe d’Esny.

Dr Boolell emphasised the importance of raising awareness among the youth for them to understand the importance of the blue economy and the green economy.

For his part, Minister Ramful indicated that some 1,500 mangroves will be planted to celebrate the Africa Environment and Wangari Maathai Day. He also dwelt on the importance of ocean protection for Small Island Developing States such as Mauritius.

He stated that students from the region have been invited to participate in the event and are called upon to raise awareness among their peers about the importance of protecting the environment. He moreover emphasised that one of Government’s priorities is to tackle climate change.

As for Ambassador Bounda, he underlined that the Africa Environment and Wangari Maathai Day is an event commemorated by the African Union and symbolise the vision of two public figures who are pioneers in the environmental cause, the blue economy and the green economy, namely the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, and the President of the Republic of Congo, Mr Denis Sassou Nguesso.

Africa Environment Day and Wangari Maathai Day are celebrated jointly every year on 03 March. This dual observance honours the memory of Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Professor Wangari Maathai, while raising awareness for the urgent environmental challenges facing the African continent.

04 March 2026

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Topics: Environment

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