“You have chosen a dramatic way to send out the message of environmental protection and I admire so much the medium you are using in sending out such message,” said Special Representative of the Secretary-General Karin Landgren as she met with Furtemba Sherpa from Nepal who is cycling around the world.

Sherpa began his odyssey when he was 26 to promote global peace and environmental protection. His aim is to “challenge our communities and leaders to do as much as they can to create sustainable, environmentally friendly alternatives.”  Wherever he goes, Sherpa carries the Buddha’s peace flag and reminds people that a healthy environment and a peaceful world are deeply linked.

 “After overcoming many personal challenges including homelessness and with no formal education, I have chosen to pursue my love for cycling around the world and to challenge the community and their leaders to preserve our one and only mother earth and create a better world for our future generations,” Sherpa told Landgren.

To date Sherpa has cycled over 100,000km in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, Caribbean, Central and South America and, his latest continent, Africa. Liberia, being the 100th country he has biked to since 2003, has become an important milestone for him. UNMIL Nepalese Formed Police held a special event to celebrate the cyclist’s achievements. Sherpa also participated in the UN Day Parade of Nations at Pan African Plaza on 25 October.

“I have travelled through 100 countries so far and witnessed great pains and sufferings among people due to war and oppression. I have come to realize that a healthy environment and a peaceful world are deeply linked to each other. We cannot have one without the other,” said Sherpa.

As he continues his journey through Africa, the Nepalese cyclist said he is meeting with people who are rebuilding their lives, families and communities after going through conflict and says their resilience inspires him to continue spreading messages of hope, courage, peace, and non-violence. He plans to visit 51 more countries before 2020.

“In addition to being environmentally friendly, cycling can have many other benefits such as saving money and improving health,” Sherpa pointed out.

He expressed thanks to all Liberians for what he called “their hospitality, brotherliness and friendship,” adding that he was grateful for their encouragement and motivation.