22 May 2008

Damascus, Syria: Volunteers have planted a forest near Damascus to increase biodiversity in their area. Staff from UNV, other UN agencies and many local volunteers were involved in the planting of 3,500 cedar, cypress, stone pine and wild pear trees in a nine-hectare plot.

The creation of the 'United Nations Forest' took place in cooperation with the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform and was opened by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative Lina Mousa.

"At the heart of the UN organisation is the ideal of partnership and solidarity," she said, "and the belief that we make the world better when we get engaged."

"This was a huge volunteer activity," added UNV Country Operations Assistant Hadba'a al-Orabi, "and an excellent chance to promote and mobilize volunteers."