Hanoi: Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlighted his country’s remarkable achievements in mitigating the impacts of climate change in his address at the 4th Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit held in Hanoi, Vietnam.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the two-day summit brought together over 1,000 representatives from over 40 countries and international organizations, including Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun, and Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina J. Mohammed.
Prime Minister Abiy conveyed to the participants that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and fulfilling the targets of the Paris Agreement require a reimagined approach to global partnership. He emphasized that climate action must be matched with tangible, targeted support for countries most vulnerable to the harsh effects of climate change.
He added that there is a critical choice to pursue a path of practical and inclusive action that addresses the needs of the most vulnerable, who often endure the devastating consequences of climate change.
The premier stated that Ethiopia, aligned with the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and the African Union Agenda 2063, has charted an ambitious course towards achieving net zero emissions and building a climate-resilient economy. This ambition is translated into concrete policy measures reflected in the country’s national development plan, further operationalized through strategies and initiatives.
A prime example of this is Ethiopia’s green legacy initiative, under which 40 billion seedlings have been planted since 2019. As the world’s largest afforestation program, it mobilizes more than 20 million citizens annually across the country. This initiative aims not only to expand forest cover but also to enhance food and nutrition security through increased fruit plants, restore degraded landscapes, and promote soil and water conservation.
Prime Minister Abiy highlighted significant investments to expand and diversify Ethiopia’s renewable energy portfolio, with the country currently deriving 98 percent of its energy from hydropower, wind, and solar sources. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) stands as a symbol of Ethiopia’s commitment to sustainable development, delivering social, economic, and environmental benefits both nationally and across the region.