Addis Ababa, November 4, 2025 (ENA) – Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is exemplary for countries in the region and globally; and UNDP remains committed to working closely with the government, UNDP Ecosystems and Biodiversity Principal Technical Advisor Doley Tshering said. The Green Legacy initiative (GLI), which was launched in 2019, has received significant international recognition from various actors, including the United Nations, as a model for climate action and sustainable development. In an exclusive interview with ENA, the UNDP Ecosystems and Biodiversity Principal Technical Advisor said the Government of Ethiopia is not only responding to the challenges of conserving the rich biodiversity for the future generation but also making sure that the nature, ecosystems, and wildlife benefit the population. “I believe Ethiopia is a leader in the Green Legacy Initiative. It is the right step. The country is well endowed with rich ecosystems.” The government's action to preserve this for the future generation, while also making sure that the country's economy and present population benefit from it, is extremely important, he elaborated. For the Ecosystems and Biodiversity Advisor, Ethiopia is an example for countries in the region, and globally. “I believe Ethiopia is a leader in this respect”, he added. According to him, UNDP remains committed to working with the Ethiopian government and governments here in the region. “We are here to work very closely alongside the government, helping the government in implementing their important strategies, including those that the government has documented and developed in the Ethiopian Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.” UNDP has been working very closely and directly with the Ethiopian government, the civil society and other stakeholders in helping protect the ecosystems and biodiversity here and in the region, it was learned. Ethiopia has planted over 48 billion trees since the launch of the Green Legacy Initiative seven years ago. The initiative is yielding tangible results in environmental restoration, economic development, and community resilience. Since its launch in 2019, the initiative has led to a remarkable increase of forest coverage from 17.2 percent to over 23.6 percent. GLI involves large-scale annual tree planting campaigns that have significantly boosted forest coverage and contributed to environmental rehabilitation and climate resilience.

Addis Ababa, November 4, 2025 (ENA)— Professor Makane Mbengue, the African Union’s External Counsel at the International Court of Justice, underscored that African states’ rights and duties in the fight against global warming can no longer be treated as mere political aspirations. In his view, the responsibilities to address climate-driven challenges are binding obligations, indispensable to safeguarding the continent’s sovereign right to sustainable development. Speaking at the Post-Advisory Opinion Workshop on the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling regarding states’ obligations on climate change, Professor Mbengue on Monday underscored the rights and duties of states in confronting global warming. The discussions focused on interpreting the ICJ opinion through an African lens and identifying pathways for its implementation across national and regional frameworks. He stressed the need to differentiate countries’ capabilities, interpretation and application of climate obligation are vital principles for intergenerational equity to benefit the recent and future generations. Legal counsel of the African Union, Professor Hajer Gueldich stressed that states have legal obligations, not just political commitments, to protect the climate system for current and future generations as the implications are profound on the continent which only contributes 3.8% to the global emissions. The professor further stated that the continent has been the center of chaos resulting from drought, food insecurity, displacement and loss of biodiversity, requiring states to abide by legal principles on fighting climate change. “The court's opinion reinforces Africa's long-standing position that climate action must be prompted in justice, equity and sharing responsibility,” she added. The workshop brought together representatives from AU member states, legal counsels, and climate law experts, it was learnt.

Addis Ababa, November 3, 2025 (ENA) – Ethiopia remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting biodiversity, preserving cultural heritages, and fostering resilient livelihoods, State Minister of Tourism Sileshi Girma said. Opening the 25th annual conference of the Global Wildlife Program (GWP) today, Sileshi noted that Ethiopia is a land of profound heritage and ecological wonder which ranges from ancient civilization, including its own unique alphabets to vibrant cultures and languages. Ethiopia is The Land of Origins-the cradle of humankind, the source of the Abbay River (Blue Nile), the birthplace of coffee, boasts of 13th months of sunshine, and a country of rich in history, and spectacular landscapes, he further stated. Today, Ethiopia is undergoing multifaceted transformations, he said, adding "through strategic investments in infrastructure, nature-based tourism, and the green legacy initiative, we are charting a path toward ecological sustainability and inclusive development.” The protected areas are evolving into engines of conservation and community empowerment, he said. As one of the 38 member countries of the GWP network, Ethiopia remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting biodiversity, preserving cultural heritages, and fostering resilient livelihoods, he reaffirmed. Ethiopia’s milestones, including full operation of GERD, riverside and corridor development undertakings, among others, demonstrate the country’s resolve to safeguard nature while advancing sustainable tourism and community well-being. Senior Researcher at the Ethiopian Wildlife Authority, Fanuel Kebede for his part affirmed that Ethiopia is a land of extraordinary diversity, and a country where nature, culture, and history converge in the most remarkable ways. Ethiopia’s altitude ranges from majestic highlands that soar above 4,000 meters to the arid lowlands that dip up to 150 meters below sea level, he pointed out. Ethiopia encompasses one of the most diversified ecological systems in Africa, the senior researcher pointed out. Towards preserving Ethiopia’s wildlife conservation, “we are contributing to achieve the primary goals of the country’s green legacy initiatives in and around protected areas, promoting nature-based tourism as a pillar of sustainable development, among others,” he elaborated. The main objectives GWP annual conference seek to facilitate knowledge sharing, promote collaboration and networking among project teams, including with government representatives, and partners, and showcase best practices and lessons learned to enhance the program's impact, it was learnt.

Addis Ababa, November 1, 2025 (ENA) – In October 2025, the Prime Minister undertook a series of national and international engagements focused on infrastructure development, rural transformation, governance reform, and diplomatic cooperation. Here is a brief recap of the past month: 𝙊𝙣 𝙐𝙧𝙗𝙖𝙣 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝘿𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙄𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 A defining highlight of the month was the laying of the foundation stone for the urea fertilizer plant, a landmark project developed through a partnership between Ethiopian Investment Holdings and the Dangote Group. With an annual production capacity of three million tons, the plant will utilize natural gas from the Calub gas fields, transported through a 108-kilometer pipeline. This project is a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s strategy to achieve fertilizer self-sufficiency and enhance agricultural productivity. In the Somali Region, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the Gode Oil Refinery, developed by Golden Concord Group Limited (GCL). The refinery, designed to process 3.5 million tons of crude oil and condensate per year from the Hilala oil field, represents a significant step in Ethiopia’s path toward energy independence. Complementing these milestones, the Prime Minister inaugurated the first phase of the Ogaden Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Project in Calub. The facility, with an annual production capacity of 111 million litres and the ability to generate 1,000 megawatts of energy, strengthens Ethiopia’s industrial base while contributing critical inputs to fertilizer production and energy generation. During his visit to Jigjiga in the Somali Region, the Prime Minister observed the city’s rapid transformation since his last visit in January 2025. Thousands of new housing units are under construction, and corridor development projects are visibly enhancing urban well-being. He lauded the Dine for Generations Project, nearing completion in the Somali Region, for unlocking new opportunities in tourism and stimulating regional economic growth. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, accompanied by members of the Prosperity Party Executive Committee, visited the corridor development project extending from Sar Bet to German Square, encompassing the Garment Factory and the Furi area. Spanning 589 hectares, it is the second-largest urban corridor after Kazanchis. The project features 16.5 kilometers of asphalt roads, 33 kilometers of pedestrian walkways, plazas, sports and recreation facilities, riverbank development, and over 1,100 commercial shops. The initiative embodies Ethiopia’s broader vision of creating modern, livable, and economically vibrant cities. 𝙊𝙣 𝙍𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 Advancing his government’s rural development agenda, the Prime Minister presided over the handover of model rural villages constructed through the Rainy Season Voluntary Scheme in the Halaba, Kembatta, Hadiya, and Silte zones. Each home in these Rural Corridor Villages is equipped with solar power, biogas systems, sanitation facilities, and animal shelters, significantly improving hygiene, comfort, and productivity for rural families. These model villages mark a new chapter in Ethiopia’s mission to raise rural living standards and promote sustainable livelihoods. The Prime Minister encouraged regional leaders to expand these initiatives, setting a target of 100 new houses per zone by next year. During his visit to the East Shewa Zone of the Oromia Region, the Prime Minister also reviewed the rainy season wheat harvest and launched summer wheat production activities. He assessed progress in banana, papaya, and fish farming clusters, emphasizing the growing adoption of mechanized agriculture as a major driver of productivity and self-reliance. He also inaugurated the Welmel River Irrigation Development Project in Delo-Mena Woreda, Bale Zone. Once fully operational, the project will irrigate 9,687 hectares of farmland, benefiting 20,000 farming households and enhancing drought resilience, food sovereignty, and rural employment. 𝙊𝙣 𝙀𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙂𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 At the Koysha Project site, the Prime Minister convened a strategic review session with the Council of Ministers to assess the macroeconomic performance of the first 100 days of the 2018 Ethiopian Fiscal Year. The review examined achievements, challenges, and strategic priorities, highlighting Ethiopia’s sustained economic resilience amid global uncertainty. The nation’s GDP growth rate stood at 9.2 percent for the 2017 fiscal year, underscoring the success of reforms aimed at fostering inclusive and diversified growth. 𝙊𝙣 𝙅𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝘿𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 Building on the success of the Digital 2025 Strategy, the Prime Minister announced the forthcoming Digital 2030 Strategy, focused on advancing automation and improving public service delivery. He commended the Federal Supreme Court for implementing a Smart Court System featuring automated transcription, virtual hearings, and an Integrated Case Management System that enables litigants to track cases online. Covering 24 federal branches to date, this innovation marks an important step toward transparent and accessible justice across Ethiopia. 𝙊𝙣 𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖, 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙢 Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attended the launch of the pan-African media outlet Pulse of Africa, a platform he first proposed during the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in 2022. The initiative seeks to amplify African perspectives, counter negative portrayals of the continent, and strengthen African unity through shared narratives. In his remarks, the Prime Minister emphasized that Pulse of Africa marks a significant step toward ensuring that Africans tell their own stories and shape their global image. Accompanied by First Lady Zinash Tayachew and a high-level delegation of former and current leaders, the Prime Minister also visited the Bale Zone to assess key development projects that integrate natural heritage with national progress. The delegation toured the Bale Mountains National Park, one of Ethiopia’s most ecologically diverse and economically significant natural areas. The Prime Minister observed ongoing tourism developments, including the nearly completed Dinsho Lodge at the heart of the park and the Sof Omer Luxury Lodge near the Sof Omer Cave. Both projects are designed to advance Ethiopia’s Ten-Year Strategic Plan by positioning tourism as a catalyst for economic transformation. The Sof Omer Cave Development Project complements these initiatives by improving access and visitor facilities around one of the country’s most celebrated natural landmarks. The delegation also inspected the Robe–Goro–Sof Omer–GinirJunction Road Upgrading Project, a dual asphalt roadway featuring five bridges that connect the productive agricultural zones of East Bale and Bale with central Ethiopia. The upgraded route enhances regional mobility, strengthens economic integration, and improves access to major tourist destinations such as the Bale Mountains National Park and Sof Omer Cave. In addition, the Prime Minister reviewed the Weib River Flood Control Project, which regulates water flow through the cave system to ensure year-round accessibility and protect its ecosystem. He also examined tourism development efforts in the Harenna cluster, including the construction of the Rira Eco Lodge, new viewpoints, restaurants, and coffee facilities along the routes leading to Tulu Dimtu, the park’s highest peak. These initiatives aim to expand sustainable tourism, create local employment, and showcase the natural and cultural richness of the Bale region. The visit concluded at the Fincha Habera Waterfall, where the delegation explored the surrounding landscape, home to the Ethiopian Red Fox, diverse birdlife, and striking geological formations such as the Rafu rock pinnacles. The area, which recently revealed a newly discovered cave system, will soon feature a glamping site designed to promote eco-friendly tourism. Reflecting on the visit, Prime Minister Abiy highlighted Ethiopia as a land of abundance and opportunity, urging citizens to safeguard and build upon the nation’s natural and human wealth for future generations. The delegation collectively reaffirmed the importance of stewardship, unity, and visionary development in shaping Ethiopia’s sustainable and prosperous future. 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚 Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in his recent address to Ethiopia’s Parliament, highlighted the country’s substantial progress in economic reform, diversification, and infrastructure development. He noted that Ethiopia’s shift from an agriculture-dependent economy toward industrial and service growth has yielded impressive results, citing rapid agricultural expansion, record-high export revenues, and increased foreign reserves. Major investments in green initiatives, transport infrastructure, and energy projects are transforming productivity and sustainability, while prudent debt management and targeted subsidies have stabilized inflation. He emphasized the government’s focus on strengthening institutional capacity, expanding digitalization, training millions of youth in coding, and modernizing service delivery through nationwide one-stop centers. On peace and governance, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to stability, dialogue, and national unity, warning against both internal and external actors seeking to destabilize the country. He stressed that the only viable path for Ethiopia is peaceful political transition and democratic consolidation. Looking ahead to the upcoming national election, he assured Parliament of the government’s readiness to ensure a fair and inclusive process. On foreign relations, he reiterated Ethiopia’s right to equitable use of the Nile waters and called for cooperative engagement with neighboring countries. Addressing the Red Sea question, he described it as a legitimate historical and economic concern that Ethiopia intends to pursue through dialogue and mutual development, underscoring that the nation’s growth is intertwined with regional prosperity and peace. 𝙊𝙣 𝘿𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 On the international stage, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed led Ethiopia’s delegation to the 24th Summit of the COMESA Authority of Heads of State and Government in Nairobi, Kenya, held under the theme “Leveraging Digitalization to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.” Addressing the Summit, he underscored that Africa’s digital transformation offers a unique opportunity to rewrite its economic narrative and strengthen continental integration. He affirmed Ethiopia’s readiness to collaborate with regional partners to advance a shared digital future. In separate diplomatic meetings, the Prime Minister held discussions with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the Federal Republic of Somalia on bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest, and with Dr. Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, to strengthen political and economic cooperation between their two nations. 𝙊𝙣 𝙏𝙖𝙭𝙥𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 Governance 𝙍𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢 At the 7th Annual Loyal Taxpayers Recognition Ceremony, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed celebrated outstanding taxpayers for their contributions to Ethiopia’s development. He reaffirmed that tax revenues are being invested in vital public goods and infrastructure projects and urged all citizens to uphold transparency and reject corruption. The Prime Minister emphasized that collective integrity and accountability are essential to building a just and prosperous nation. Throughout October 2025, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s decisive leadership and forward-looking initiatives across industry, agriculture, urban renewal, justice, and diplomacy demonstrated Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development and national progress.