A total of **10,000 mangroves** have been planted along the Indian Ocean coastline in Zanzibar to commemorate **World Environment Day** and support the blue economy drive in the isles.

**Manshik Shin**, the country director of the **Korea International Corporation Agency (KOICA)**, stated this in a statement released yesterday.

He mentioned that each mangrove planted represents a commitment to a better future, where natural resources are preserved for generations to come.

The mangroves were planted by **KOICA Alumni Tanzania (KOAT)** in collaboration with community members as Tanzania joined the rest of the world to mark the day.

This year, the theme of World Environment Day is **‘Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience’**.

According to the **UN Convention to Combat Desertification**, up to **40 percent** of the planet's land is degraded, directly affecting half of the world's population.

“Today, in commemoration of WED, KOAT through KOICA, would like to commend the government of Zanzibar for the great efforts for environmental conservation and climate change adaptation in the isles,” he said.

The Republic of Korea also aims to raise awareness in communities about nature conservation by planting mangroves along the coastline as part of strengthening the blue economy in Zanzibar.

The main objective of this capacity-building intervention is to support the communities, including women and youth, to realize the importance of nature conservation.

According to Shin, the Republic of Korea has been collaborating with the **Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries in Zanzibar** to promote development.

Shin said, KOICA's priority includes addressing climate change and environmental issues and they collaborate with the government of Zanzibar to safeguard the environment.

KOICA sent **15 Zanzibar government officials** for capacity-building programs in Korea to support Zanzibar marine multi-species hatchery centers on the production of sea cucumber, mud crab, milkfish, and feed production.

The **Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT)** program is a technical support and fellowship program of KOICA and up to date, more than **2,000 Tanzanian government officials** have been sent to Korea to pursue long and short courses to enhance their capacity and strengthen the partnership between the two countries.