Pressenza Pressenza International Press Agency Dakar, 14/10/09 Senegal has called upon the international community to support the "Great Green Wall" project in Africa. The initiative involves the planting of trees along the breadth of the continent, from east to west, in an effort to reduce the impact of desertification.

The project goal is to reduce the impact of drought by planting a band of trees that will stretch across the entire continent, from east to west.

In his speech before the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade urged the UN to approve the project that will contribute to environmental protection and help in the struggle against climate change. The Great Green Wall will extend from Dakar, the capital of Senegal, to Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa, with a total length of approximately 7000 kilometers and a width of 15 kilometers. Senegal has responsibility for coordinating the project.

President Wade stated in the General Assembly that his country has already planted around 525 kilometers of trees, and announced that Mali and Chad have confirmed their imminent participation in the campaign.

The Chief of the Senegalese State pointed out that with the help of international experts African countries could select species specifically adapted to the arid conditions of the Sahelo-Saharan Zone.

In his speech, Wade stressed that Africa must shoulder its responsibility in global efforts to protect the environment, stating that the green wall is part of efforts now underway. He concluded his presentation with an observation that the project could help to mobilize African youth in service of a cause that promotes peace and the environmental conservation.

(Translation: Ramiro Pozzo Edition: Jenni Lukac)