In a moving ceremony held today at the Jerusalem Forest, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael - Jewish National Fund inaugurated a brand-new grove, marking the strong bond that the state of Israel holds with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The event was attended by the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chairman of the Union of African States - Felix Tshisekedi, and KKL-JNF's Global Chairman, Avraham Duvdevani.
The
President of JNF Belgium, Yaakov Ben Zino, initiated the planting of the new grove in recognition of the strong friendship KKL-JNF shares with the Congo, and with JNF's branch in South Africa. The President's visit is expected to strengthen cooperation between the State of Israel and the Congo, including the increasing of cooperation between KKL-JNF and various African countries. This is an opportunity to exchange knowledge and technologies accumulated over the years by both sides. KKL-JNF's Global Chairman invited the President to promote joint work and cooperation in the fields of agriculture, water management, the fight against desertification, global warming, climate change and more.
H.E. Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Republic of the Congo said at the ceremony: "We are eager to learn from you on how to make the wilderness flourish. Africa is the continent that contributes the least to fighting climate change, but it is the one that needs help the most - and Israel has a lot to teach us in that aspect.
I am very happy that we will also be meeting at the upcoming conference in Glasgow, and that we have the opportunity to share more useful information with each other".
Avraham Duvdevani, KKL-JNF Global Chairman: "As the world faces the ever-growing threat of global warming, I see the Congo and African countries taking an active role in solving the crisis and hoping to
work in mutual cooperation to advance technological initiatives that will help save future generations. Our best talents, minds and solutions are at your disposal, Mr. President. We welcome this opportunity to inaugurate the grove today and the honor of hosting you here with us in a KKL-JNF forest in Israel".