On the occasion of World Environment Day celebrated this Friday, June 5, 2026, the Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (COJOJ) organised a large day of cleanliness and environmental awareness at the Mosque of Divinity, in Ouakam.

This initiative, carried out in partnership with the Directorate of Living Environment, Sonaged, the City of Dakar and the municipality of Ouakam, aims to mobilize the population around the issues of cleanliness and environmental preservation a few months before the Dakar-2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Located along the Corniche, one of the iconic sites where several activities related to the Games will take place, the Mosque of Divinity served as the setting for this cleanup operation intended to offer a cleaner, more welcoming and sustainable environment.

According to Stéphane Senghor of COJOJ, this action reflects the organizers' desire to make the environment a pillar of the legacy of Dakar-2026.

"The objective is to demonstrate, through action, our commitment to the principles of environmental protection and to materialize them through concrete actions. Today, we are cleaning up this iconic site in order to bring about a visible transformation and increase the attractiveness of our territories," he said.

For the head of the COJOJ, the Youth Olympic Games represent a unique opportunity to enhance Senegal's image on the international stage.

"The Youth Olympic Games will bring significant visibility to our continent and our country. It is therefore up to each of us to mobilize in order to present the best image of Senegalese hospitality. As you know, there can be no hospitality without cleanliness," he stressed.

Beyond this cleanup operation, the COJOJ intends to make its action a long-term commitment. Tree planting campaigns and beautification activities are already planned in several localities.

“We are working around a three-pronged approach: cleaning, beautification and ensuring the sustainability of actions.

Today, several tons of waste have been removed from this site. But the success of this initiative will depend above all on the commitment of the local population,” explained Stéphane Senghor.

He calls for collective awareness and insists on the responsibility of each citizen in preserving the living environment.

“Cleanliness should not be the preserve of the Games. It must become a rule of common life. The best legacy we can leave is the understanding that everyone must participate in building a healthy and sustainable environment,” he concluded.