Logo of the fifteenth edition of “National Tree Day”, to be held on January 1, 2026, in Kikla Municipality. (Facebook)
On Thursday, January 1, 2026, the activities of the fifteenth edition of “National Tree Day” will launch in Kikla Municipality, continuing until Saturday, January 3. The event is organized by the “Friends of the Tree Association” and is officially hosted and partnered with Kikla Municipality for this year, under the slogan “A Tree in Safe Soil, A Life for a Sustainable Nation”.
This edition is organized following previous editions held in various Libyan municipalities, as part of an approach aimed at expanding the base of local participation. This year’s edition is jointly organized with Kikla Municipality, reflecting the role of municipalities in embracing national environmental initiatives.
The celebration is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism and Traditional Industries, with official media supervision from the “Libyan National Radio and Television Network” as the media sponsor, alongside the “Libya Sports Channel” as the media sponsor for sports activities, and the “Libya Youth Channel” as the sponsor for youth activities, in addition to extensive media coverage from various media outlets.
On the organizational level, Kikla Municipality announced the formation of 13 subcommittees responsible for the organizational, technical, and service aspects of the events. These committees operate under the supervision of the “Supreme Celebration Committee”, ensuring tight coordination between the various participating parties and the smooth running of the field program.
The event receives logistical and technical support from prominent national institutions, foremost among them the General Staff Presidency – Military Engineering, the “New Orbit” company, the “General Movement for Scouts and Girl Guides”, and the “Mleib Center for Scout and Guide Training”, alongside support from a number of Libyan universities, institutes, and institutions. The “Al-Sahm Public Transport Shareholding Company” supports the event as the official transport provider for the activities.
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According to the organizing committee, the number of participating entities to date has reached 32 youth, sports, environmental, and civil society organizations, a participation that reflects the broad scope of national interest in afforestation issues. Technical aspects are coordinated by the “Higher Institute of Science and Technology – Kikla”, with the support of the “Kikla, We Build It With Our Hands” volunteer team and a number of public benefit associations.
Planting 10,000 Forest Trees
This year’s program includes a wide package of activities, most notably the launch of a campaign to plant 10,000 forest trees in various areas of the municipality, in support of vegetation cover and combating desertification. The celebration will also witness the official announcement of the launch of the “Saving the Olive Tree in Kikla” program, supported by the “Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)” and implemented by the “Friends of the Tree Association”. The program focuses on pruning olive trees, irrigation, fertilization, training farmers, and ultimately issuing a brand for Kikla farm olive oil.
The program also includes honoring pioneers of voluntary civil work, theatrical performances and environmental anthems, in addition to various sports activities including: mountain rally, cross-country race, bicycle competitions, mountain climbing, and paragliding team displays, as well as football matches organized by the “Kikla Sports Club” for veteran athletes.
The events also include popular equestrian displays, specialized workshops and lectures on environment and sustainable development, alongside scouting activities and interactive field camps. On the economic and heritage side, an “Environmental Bazaar”, exhibitions for tree saplings, and exhibitions for traditional industries and popular artifacts related to the environment will be organized.
It is worth noting that “National Tree Day”, celebrated annually on January 1st, is one of the most prominent environmental occasions in Libya. It aims to entrench a culture of afforestation and biodiversity protection, within a national vision that affirms environmental security as a fundamental pillar of sustainable development.
Kikla Municipality
Kikla Municipality is a district located in western Libya, historically known for its significant Berber heritage and traditional communities. It gained attention during the 2011 Libyan Civil War as a site of intense fighting between anti-Gaddafi forces and loyalist troops.
Libya
Libya is a North African country with a rich history that includes ancient Phoenician and Greek settlements, most notably at Cyrene, and later Roman rule. It was part of the Ottoman Empire before Italian colonization in the early 20th century, gaining independence as a kingdom in 1951. The nation’s modern history was dominated by Muammar Gaddafi’s lengthy rule from 1969 until the 2011 revolution and subsequent period of instability.
Ministry of Tourism and Traditional Industries
The Ministry of Tourism and Traditional Industries is a government body in the Sultanate of Oman, established to promote the country’s tourism sector while preserving and developing its rich heritage of traditional crafts. It was formed to strategically integrate the growth of modern tourism with the safeguarding of artisanal skills like silverwork, weaving, and pottery, which are central to Omani cultural identity.
Libyan National Radio and Television Network
The Libyan National Radio and Television Network is the state-owned public broadcasting service of Libya, established in 1957 during the Kingdom of Libya. It became a central tool for state propaganda under Muammar Gaddafi’s rule from 1969 until 2011 and has since undergone restructuring in the post-revolution period.
Libya Sports Channel
The Libya Sports Channel is a state-owned television network dedicated to broadcasting sports events and related programming within Libya. It was established to promote national sports culture and provide coverage of local and international competitions, operating under the oversight of Libyan government media authorities.
Libya Youth Channel
The Libya Youth Channel is a state-owned television station launched in 2011, following the Libyan Civil War, with a focus on programming for and by young people. It was established to provide a platform for youth engagement and to promote a new national identity in the post-Gaddafi era.
General Staff Presidency – Military Engineering
The General Staff Presidency – Military Engineering is a historic military institution within the Turkish Armed Forces, traditionally responsible for critical infrastructure, construction, and technical projects. Its origins trace back to the Ottoman Empire, evolving from earlier corps to meet the engineering and fortification needs of the army. Today, it remains a key department overseeing the planning and execution of defense-related engineering works.
New Orbit
“New Orbit” is a contemporary cultural venue in Beijing, China, that opened in 2020 within a renovated industrial building. It serves as a hub for experimental art, design, and interdisciplinary cultural exchange, focusing on supporting emerging artists and fostering public engagement with new creative forms.
General Movement for Scouts and Girl Guides
The General Movement for Scouts and Girl Guides is a national scouting organization in Algeria, founded in 1963 following the country’s independence. It was established to promote youth development, civic responsibility, and national unity, merging various scouting traditions within the new Algerian context.
Mleib Center for Scout and Guide Training
The Mleib Center for Scout and Guide Training is a facility in Jordan dedicated to the development and training of youth within the scouting movement. It was established to serve as a central hub for educational programs, leadership courses, and outdoor activities that promote the principles of scouting and guiding.
Al-Sahm Public Transport Shareholding Company
Al-Sahm Public Transport Shareholding Company is a major public transportation operator in Saudi Arabia, primarily serving the capital city of Riyadh. It was established to develop and modernize the city’s bus network as part of broader national efforts to improve urban mobility and reduce reliance on private vehicles.
Higher Institute of Science and Technology – Kikla
The Higher Institute of Science and Technology – Kikla is a public higher education institution located in the town of Kikla, Libya. It was established to provide specialized technical and scientific education, contributing to local development in the wake of Libya’s broader efforts to expand its vocational and applied learning infrastructure.
Kikla, We Build It With Our Hands
“Kikla, We Build It With Our Hands” refers to a community-led reconstruction project in the town of Kikla, Libya, following its significant damage during the 2011 revolution and subsequent conflicts. The initiative symbolizes local resilience, with residents directly rebuilding homes and infrastructure using their own resources and labor to restore their town.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized UN agency, founded in 1945, with the goal of defeating hunger and improving global nutrition and agricultural productivity. Its headquarters are in Rome, and it leads international efforts to transform agri-food systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
Kikla Sports Club
Kikla Sports Club is a Libyan football club based in the town of Kikla, located in the Nafusa Mountains. It was historically established as a community club and has competed in Libyan football leagues, representing its local region.
