His Majesty King Oyo launches the National Greening Campaign by planting a traditional tree at the 3rd Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Run 2019 organized by Youth Go Green Uganda where the King was Chief Guest.
The King flagged off the 3rd SDG Run under the theme: “Running for Clean Air”. The Run is a Uganda Youth-led initiative to address the Climate Change Crisis facing the world today.
His Majesty commended commended Youth Go Green Uganda for organizing the 3rd SDG Run. The King highlighted that the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals will ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all where no one if left behind. However, we can’t achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 without the active participation of the young people.
His Majesty therefore urged the Youth to become the Generation to step up and respond to the Climate Emergency and not wait for the leaders, governments, the UN or NGOs to take action because it is their future at stake.
The King further informed the gathering about the 10-million tree planting and Save River Mpanga initiatives undertaken in Tooro Kingdom by the Youth and urged millions of children and youth in Uganda to take small individual actions like planting and caring for a tree, collecting plastics they use at home and properly dispose or recycle these plastics to avoid polluting the environment. The King emphasized that such small individual actions would make a big positive difference in addressing the climate change crisis.
His Majesty The King applauded the Government, Parliament, United Nations, WWF, KCCA, Uganda Tourism Board, Century Bottling Company and all partners for supporting Youth Go Green Uganda successfully hold the SDG Run which raised awareness and mobilized people for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
His Majesty ended his address by informing the SDG Run participants that the King looks forward to the 4th Edition when we come back together to celebrate the achievements of the National Greening Campaign that His Majesty had just launched. The King was accompanied by the Rt. Honourable Prime Minister and Honourable Ministers of Tooro Kingdom.
The following speech was delivered by His Majesty King Oyo at the 5th 3rd Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Run 2019 at Kololo Independence Grounds on Sunday, 27 October 2019 under the theme, “Running for Clean Air”.
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The Distinguished Participants, The Run Organizers, Partners and Sponsors, The Invited Guests, Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me start by welcoming and congratulating all the participants of this 3rd Sustainable Development Goals Run under the theme “Running for Clean Air”.
The implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals will ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all where no one is left behind. However, we can’t achieve the SDGs by 2030 without the active participation of the young people.
I therefore, commend the Youth led by Youth Go Green Uganda for successfully organizing this 3rd SDG Run which addresses the Climate Emergency the greatest challenge that the world is facing today.
The Generations before us have failed to find solutions to the Climate Crisis. There is excessive greed and unabated destruction of the environment without due consideration for the needs of the future generations. This Must Immediately Stop. We must protect mother earth at all costs.
I say let us be the Generation to step up and respond to the Climate Emergency. The Youth have the power to lead and provide solutions and this Run has demonstrated that the young people are not afraid to step up to challenge of providing solutions to the most critical global issues of our time. Let the young people not wait for the leaders, the government, the United Nations or NGOs, let us take Action Now.
For instance, in Tooro Kingdom, I mobilized my youths and students in schools to lead the fight to address Climate Change. We have massively undertaken the restoration of our environment through tree planting, we are cleaning and protecting our water resources as highlighted by the “Save River Mpanga” initiative and we are collecting and destroying plastics which are poisoning our environment.
Imagine if all the Millions of Children and Youth in Uganda take small individual actions like planting and caring for a tree, collecting the plastics you use in your homes and either destroying or recycling them and together in groups, we shall make a big positive difference in addressing climate change.
It therefore gives me great pleasure to launch the National Greening Campaign led by Youth Go Green. I urge all the young people, government and partners to support this noble campaign.
I thank the Government, Parliament, United Nations, KCCA and all the partners who have supported Youth Go Green Uganda to hold this SDG Run which has raised awareness and mobilized people for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. I look forward to the 4th Edition when we come back together to celebrate the achievements of the National Greening Campaign that we have just launched.
I Thank you all for your kind attention.
Dr. Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, King of Tooro
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