THE MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, HON. HERBERT KUAH DICKSON;

 HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS OF THE NZEMA EAST MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY;

REPRESENTATIVES OF BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES AND THE YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION FUND;

DISTINGUISHED INVITED GUESTS;

LEADERS AND MEMBERS OF THE WINNING YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION FUND GROUPS;

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA;

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

Good morning,

It is a great pleasure and privilege to welcome you all to this important gathering here in Axim for the award ceremony and presentation of packages of varying financial values to the successful youth groups under the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund initiative in the Nzema East Municipality.

On behalf of the Nzema East Municipal Assembly, I warmly welcome you all and express our sincere appreciation to Bloomberg Philanthropies for supporting young people to take practical action towards addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability in our communities.

Today’s ceremony is not merely an occasion for presenting financial packages. It is a celebration of youth innovation, creativity, commitment and leadership in the fight against climate change. It also demonstrates the importance of empowering young people to become active participants in the development of their communities.

Purpose of the Gathering

Distinguished guests, the primary purpose of our gathering is to officially present micro-grants to the nine successful youth groups whose proposals have been selected under the Youth Climate Action Fund Project.

The grants are intended to enable these groups to translate their innovative ideas into practical climate action initiatives that will benefit our communities. Through this support, we seek to encourage youth-led solutions to environmental challenges, strengthen community participation and promote local ownership of climate action.

The ceremony also provides an opportunity to recognize the creativity, commitment and potential of our young people. It demonstrates that young people are not merely beneficiaries of development programmes; they are also important partners and agents of change.

Conclusion

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, climate change is a challenge that requires collective action. Government alone cannot address it; our communities, private institutions, civil society organisations and, especially, our young people all have important roles to play.

Let us therefore use this occasion to renew our commitment to environmental protection, responsible resource management and community-led climate action.

Once again, I welcome you all to this important ceremony in Axim. I congratulate the winning youth groups and wish them every success in implementing their projects.

Thank you for your attention, and may our collective efforts contribute to a greener, cleaner and more sustainable Nzema East Municipality.

Long live the youth of Nzema East!

Long live the Nzema East Municipal Assembly!

Long live our collective commitment to climate action!

Thank you.