Addis ababa: The first group of Ethiopian youth, tasked with sharing Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative experience with Pakistan under the "Planting Brotherhood" program, has departed for Pakistan. This initiative aims to promote Ethiopia's green development model while fostering people-to-people ties between the two nations.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Prosperity Party Youth Wing President Aklilu Tadesse emphasized that this initial delegation, beginning with Pakistan, will continue the planting program in seven countries in the near future. This effort is designed to enhance Ethiopia's international image and strengthen ties with host nations, alongside participating in tree planting activities.
Pakistan's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Atif Sharif Mian, commended Ethiopia's success in environmental restoration, noting that Pakistan has much to learn from these efforts. Highlighting shared challenges and opportunities, he pointed out the potential for collaboration in areas such as climate change adaptation, reforestation, and climate-resilient agriculture. The ambassador also expressed Pakistan's readiness to share its technological expertise in agriculture and sustainable farming.
Women and Social Affairs State Minister Muna Ahmed stated that this outreach will not only strengthen global cooperation on environmental protection but also deepen bilateral relations. The Green Legacy Initiative, launched in 2019 by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, stands as one of the world's most extensive tree-planting campaigns, having planted over 40 billion seedlings in Ethiopia over the past six years.
Ethiopia's efforts in environmental restoration have been recognized as a model for climate action, food security, and sustainable development. This year, Ethiopia set a new record by planting over 714.7 million seedlings in a single day, contributing to its target of 7.5 billion trees during the current rainy season. The campaign has gained participation from both Ethiopians and foreign nationals, with prior cross-border efforts involving Ethiopian youth planting seedlings in neighboring countries.