US Ambassador Announces Launch of Walk in Parks Campaign

The US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta and his wife, together with alumni of the FLEX educational program sponsored by the US government, marked the Earth Day with cleaning works on one of the beaches of Absheron on Saturday.

Upon completion, the Ambassador visited the Absheron National Park and announced the launch of the campaign Walk in Parks. He announced the intention to make trips to all the national parks in Azerbaijan next year.

The Ambassador noted that the campaign coincides with the centenary of the creation of the US National Parks system. He stressed national parks are important not only in terms of nature conservation and people's recreation, but also to attract revenue. E.g., the US national parks annually bring revenues in the amount of 30 billion USD.

 At the same time, the Ambassador pointed to the need to protect the environment, not only in national parks, but everywhere.

Cekuta said that, visiting the national park and taking part in cleaning the beach,

he would like to recall the role of everyone in the protection of nature.

He expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Ecology and the national park staff for their assistance in creating conditions for visiting these natural objects.

The event of beach cleaning is an annual event initiated by FLEX alumni. Most of them were taught in schools and universities of the United States and lived with American families for a year.

The event on the occasion of Earth Day was attended by 25 graduates, who received education in the US, and 15 employees of the US Embassy. -07D--