Ethiopia: Ethiopia is mobilizing millions of citizens through a nationwide movement to accelerate environmental restoration, with the country preparing to plant 800 million tree seedlings in a single day next Monday. The move is part of its ambitious target of 8 billion seedlings during the current rainy season, senior government officials announced on Saturday.According to Ethiopian News Agency, speaking at a High-Level Diplomatic Dinner held as part of the Leadership Conference and Diplomatic Simulation (LCC) 2026, ministers highlighted that Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative has evolved into one of the world's most extensive environmental restoration campaigns, driven by mass public participation, particularly among women and young people. Agriculture Minister Addisu Arega informed diplomats and international partners that the nationwide planting campaign reflects Ethiopia's vision to build a greener, more resilient, and prosperous future. He emphasized that the initiative is not merely an environmental campaign but a national movement embodying the determination to restore ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, and secure sustainable prosperity for future generations.Addisu further explained that this year's conference theme, 'Green Legacy for Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Green Innovation,' aligns closely with the Green Legacy Initiative, which operates under the national motto 'Together Let Us Plant Hope.' He stressed that agriculture remains the foundation of Ethiopia's economy, making climate-resilient agricultural transformation central to the country's development strategy.Launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2019, the Green Legacy Initiative aims to restore degraded landscapes, conserve biodiversity, improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, protect water resources, and enhance resilience to climate change. Addisu noted that the initiative has already increased Ethiopia's forest cover from 17.2 percent to 23.6 percent, earning the Food and Agriculture Organ ization (FAO) Sustainable Forest Management and Utilization Award in 2025. He attributed the initiative's success to broad public participation, particularly by young Ethiopians who have prepared land, raised seedlings, planted millions of trees, and ensured their long-term survival.Minister of Women and Social Affairs Ergoge Tesfaye remarked that the Green Legacy Initiative has become a powerful expression of Ethiopia's National Volunteerism Program, mobilizing millions of citizens annually for environmental protection, community development, and social solidarity. She highlighted the crucial role of women and young people in afforestation, watershed rehabilitation, and community mobilization across the country.As Ethiopia prepares to host the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32) in 2027, Ergoge emphasized the country's aim to demonstrate practical, people-centered climate solutions that integrate environmental restoration with sustainable agriculture, gender inclusion, youth leadership, and green economic development. She underscored that the Green Legacy is about more than planting billions of seedlings; it is about restoring ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, strengthening food security, conserving water resources, improving livelihoods, and building communities resilient to climate change.
Monday, August 03, 2026