KAMPONG SPEU: To commemorate Cambodia’s hosting of the 20th Red Cross and Red Crescent Leaders Meeting this week, President of the Cambodian Red Cross, former First Lady Bun Rany, presided over a tree planting ceremony in the Kirirom National Park, where she asked the public to contribute to making Cambodia a greener country with fresh air.

On September 20, Bun Rany made a speech at the Buddhist Cultural Center where she called on people to protect forests by stopping deforestation and planting trees on vacant land. She asked that people return to organic farming so that people have better lives, healthy families, and a more prosperous society.

"I would like to whole-heartedly dedicate today's tree planting ceremony to the obligation that all human beings have to love nature by planting trees, sustaining life and protecting the planet from natural disasters,” she said.

She went on to note that the Cambodian Red Cross assists the Royal Government in humanitarian activities and is an indispensable force in the protection of the environment and forest resources.

She said that today's program is a practical visit to gain experience in replanting trees in mountainous areas and to understand the value of forests and animals to the planet.

She also added that the program will encourage young people to participate in joint missions to solve humanity and global challenges, as delegates from the ASEAN Red Cross youth division are holding their own forum this week.