ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) in Islamabad launched the groundbreaking Green Legacy Initiative, signaling Ethiopia’s commitment to addressing climate-related challenges and fostering sustainable development.
The inauguration took place with a tree plantation ceremony at Ethiopia’s Embassy premises in Islamabad, attended by dignitaries such as H.E. Khaja Saad Rafique, Federal Minister of Aviation and Railways, Nawabzada Shazain Bugti, Federal Minister of Narcotics Control, and H.E. Romina Khurshid Alam, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, among others.
Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative
In his speech, Ambassador Jemal Beker Abduala praised the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, acknowledging the significant impact of the Green Legacy Initiative in addressing climate challenges, preserving the environment, creating job opportunities, and ensuring food security in Ethiopia. The first phase of the initiative, launched by PM Dr. Abiy Ahmed in 2019, witnessed the planting of 25 billion seedlings of trees, fruits, and cattle feeds. The second phase, “Let’s plant our future today,” commenced on 17th July 2023, with the ambitious goal of planting another 25 billion seedlings across Ethiopia.
During the second phase, Ethiopia achieved an extraordinary feat by planting over 550 million seedlings in just one day, with the overwhelming participation of more than 32 million Ethiopians. The Green Legacy Initiative has proven to be a catalyst for positive change, generating over 1 million jobs in Ethiopia and contributing significantly to the rise of 145,000 nurseries throughout the country. Beyond national boundaries, this ambitious endeavor has inspired neighboring nations to undertake their own extensive tree plantation campaigns, uniting the African continent in its fight against the adverse impacts of climate change.
Highlighting the global nature of climate change and the necessity for cooperation among nations, Jemal Beker expressed Ethiopia’s willingness to share its experiences and knowledge with Pakistan. Federal Minister for Aviation and Railways, Khawaja Saad Rafique, extended gratitude to the FDRE Government for supporting Pakistan in carrying out flood relief activities in the country in the recent past. He warmly welcomed the Green Legacy Initiative in Pakistan and vowed cooperation with the FDRE Government in this regard.
The Minister also extended his sincerest regards to PM, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, for extending the initiative to Pakistan and stressed the importance of taking more initiatives to strengthen people-to-people relations between the two countries, especially through cooperation in the aviation sector. Zafar Bakhtawari, former President of ICCI and President of the Africa-Pakistan Association, also lauded the FDRE Government for its resolve to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and urged the business community in Pakistan to support such initiatives.
During the event, Jemal Beker Abdula, along with Federal Ministers and prominent business representatives, planted various tree species such as Jacaranda, Avocado, Pine, Olive, Terminalia, and Ficus Carica.
