Addis Ababa August 19/2023 (ENA):-The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) has called for urgent action to tackle Africa’s mounting plastic crisis. The conference held in Addis Ababa this week centered around the theme “Seizing opportunities and enhancing collaboration to address environmental challenges in Africa.” During the 19th session of AMCEN, Greenpeace pressed the 54 member states to stand firm in their negotiations for a ground-breaking treaty that would effectively cap plastic production at its source and prevent the extraction of oil and gas used in plastic manufacturing. Nairametrics, a leading financial information and content creation company based in Nigeria, noted that amid intensifying concerns regarding the environmental ramifications of plastics production and disposal methods, Greenpeace Africa has issued a call to action urging the environment ministers from all the African nations to endorse a treaty aimed at reforming the plastics value chain. The organization pointed out that the gathering served as a platform for enhancing Africa’s collective involvement in the global environmental agenda, including the International Negotiating Committee’s (INC) efforts, to forge a legally binding global plastics treaty. Greenpeace Africa Communication and Story Manager, Hellen Kahaso Dena, urged AMCEN to lead African member states toward a treaty grounded in human rights and equity, one that can combat plastic pollution, which gravely affects communities across the continent. Dena highlighted that plastic pollution not only disrupts ecosystems crucial for African livelihoods but also exacerbates social inequalities, echoing the harm caused by the climate crisis. The African Group of Negotiators was urged to advocate for a robust treaty that fosters a just transition toward sustainable livelihoods for those affected along the plastics value chain, including workers and communities. Given that more than 99% of plastics are derived from fossil fuels, plastic manufacturing significantly contributes to the climate crisis, accounting for roughly 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it was pointed out. Curtailing plastic production and discontinuing single-use plastics aligns with the overarching aim of restraining global warming within the 1.5-degree limit. Advocates of single-use plastics are advocating for increased plastic production and export to Africa, potentially undermining the strides African nations have made in tackling plastic pollution. A collaborative approach among African member states is essential to address these challenges and to counteract the unlawful and neo-colonialist approach adopted by the Global North in handling plastic waste. With 34 governments having already enacted bans on single-use plastics or passed laws aimed at such a ban, Africa is demonstrating significant leadership in the fight against plastic pollution.

Addis Ababa, August 19/2023 (ENA) African countries can pressurize developed nations to provide the climate finance Africa direly needs for adaptation and mitigation by speaking with one voice, the Chadian Environment Education Director Charfie Habib Doutoum said. Climate financing refers to investments in projects and programs that help countries mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts. Africa urgently requires access to climate finance to build resilience against rising temperatures, extreme weather, and sea level which are already devastating the continent, she added. However, the continent lacks its fair share of this critical financing, despite being home to over 1.3 billion people experiencing the worst climate change effects while having minimal responsibility for carbon emissions. To increase climate finance, African nations must stand together and speak with one voice to pressure developed countries, Doutoum stressed. According to the director, more climate finance can assist Africa in paying for adaptation, supporting mitigation efforts, and building capacity to manage climate impacts. Doutoum noted that COP28 provides a key opportunity for Africa to strongly advocate its urgent climate finance needs and gain climate justice. With solidarity and coordinated messaging, Africa can mobilize more funding to craft a resilient future for its people, she said. African nations can also collaborate on developing quality projects eligible for climate finance. The director believes that unity and a collective voice are vital for Africa to access needed climate funding and build a more resilient future. She insisted that Africa must unite to defend its interests and address climate change impacts at COP28. As the continent is most vulnerable to climate change, Africa urgently needs climate finance to cover adaptation costs, support mitigation, and build capacity to manage impacts, she underscored. UN Environment Program (UNEP) Ecosystems Director, Susan Gardner said on her part that African nations bearing the greatest climate change burdens despite minimal responsibility are uniting to secure urgent climate financing.   She stressed that a coordinated Pan-African approach would amplify calls for equitable climate financing to address the continent's needs.    

Addis Ababa, August 18/2023 (ENA) Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed jointly with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed planted Green Legacy seedlings in Addis Ababa today. Upon arriving this morning, the president and ruler of Abu Dhabi held a bilateral meeting with Ethiopian delegations, it was indicated. The two sides have acknowledged the ever strengthening ties between Ethiopia and the UAE. “Following bilateral meetings and signing of key cooperation agreements, together with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we planted Green Legacy seedlings marking our mutual commitment to addressing climate change in multifaceted ways,” Prime Minister Abiy wrote on Face-Book. In their earlier discussion, Prime Minister Abiy and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have expressed commitment to build stronger bridges that benefit the people of Ethiopia and UAE. In particular, they expressed their commitment to build stronger bridges that benefit peoples of the two and for the future generations. Following the bilateral meeting, the leaders presided over a signing ceremony of 17 agreements in various sectors, including industry, agriculture, investment and finance, it was learned. “The growing relations between the two countries are rooted in deep mutual respect and a shared vision for mutual progress. We will continue collaborating in pursuit of sustainable development,'' the premier stated.  

Addis Ababa, August 18/2023 (ENA) Ethiopia has shared the experience of its Green Legacy Initiative and progress made at the 19th African Environmental Ministers Conference (AMCEN) being held in Addis Ababa. The Nineteenth Ordinary Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) is underway in Addis Ababa. The four day conference organized under the theme "Seizing opportunity and enhancing collaboration to address environmental challenges in Africa," has attracted more than 40 environment ministers and over 440 participants from across the continent. Ethiopia has today shared its Green Legacy initiative experience at the ministerial segment of the conference. During the occasion, the chair of the Ethiopian Green Legacy Initiative technical committee, Adefris Worku, made a presentation on the initiative under the title "Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative: Steps towards Building a Circular Economy in Africa." Adefris raised factors that have driven the initiative and mentioned that the nation planned to plant 22 billion seedlings from 2019 to 2022 and has managed to plant more than 25 billion seedlings. Following the completion of the first round of the initiative, the nation has launched the second round of the initiative to plant another 25 billion seedlings by the year 2026, he said. He also highlighted the importance of the Green Legacy Initiative in achieving the various targets, including the SDG, Agenda 2063, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Bonn Challenge, the AFR100, the NY Declaration on Forests, and other multilateral environmental agreements. The achievement of Green Legacy initiative has various implications for Ethiopia that range from natural land restoration to food security and from ecosystem protection to climate change adaptation and mitigation in efforts to build a green economy. Ethiopia has finally called upon African ministers to join in scaling out Ethiopia's nature-based solution to fight climate change, which was unanimously well received. The main objective of the Nineteenth Ordinary Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) is to strengthen collaboration among the various institutions and enhance implementation of regional and global environmental frameworks in order to address the environmental challenges facing the continent.  

Addis Ababa, August 17/2023 (ENA) United Arab Emirates (UAE) Industry and Advanced Technology and COP 28 President-Designate, Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber emphasized today the urgent need to increase climate finance to African countries to allow them to seize the opportunity of a zero-carbon, climate resilient future. In his speech to the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Addis Ababa, Sultan Al Jaber said “both the science and common sense are telling us that our collective response to climate change is nowhere near good enough.” The president designate emphasized Africa’s position as one of the hardest hit regions by climate-related extreme weather events, from the Horn of Africa to Lake Chad and beyond. He noted that the world has seen too many lives and livelihoods devastated from Pakistan to Hawaii. Yet, Africa has been facing extreme climate conditions with greater impacts for longer than most. “Here in the Horn of Africa, rains have not fallen for over four seasons, with 23 million people now facing severe hunger across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. Lake Chad, once the lifeblood for millions of people in Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, has shrunk to one tenth of its size. And continuous flooding has ruined crops and spread vector borne diseases across Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Zambia and Rwanda.” In recognizing African governments’ climate initiatives, Al Jaber highlighted the efforts of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) host, Ethiopia. “Ethiopia is just one country that is leading the way with its Green Legacy Initiative (GLI). Since 2019 the GLI has planted over 25 billion seedlings, enhanced sustainable agriculture, strengthened food security, exported healthy food to foreign markets and created almost 1 million new green jobs along the way.” However, Al Jaber noted that the chronic lack of available, accessible and affordable climate finance is a major obstacle standing in the way of further progress on climate action. “Currently, barely one tenth of global climate finance finds its way to Africa. According to the African Development Bank, almost 250 billion dollars annually is needed to meet Africa’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments through 2030,” he elaborated. Yet, “this continent of 54 countries that contributes less than 5 percent of global emissions, receives less than 30 billion USD a year. And private finance flows to Africa are a fraction of what is disbursed to the rest of the world. These are the realities. They need to be fixed. And they need to be fixed now.” According to Al Jaber, the AMCEN summit underway in Addis Ababa is important as it could be used to mobilize African leaders ahead of COP28 and prepare the ground for strong outcomes on finance, adaptation, and loss and damage.  

Addis Ababa, August 17/2023 (ENA): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen has called on African countries to strengthen their collective voice on climate issues. A two-day African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) is taking place in Addis Ababa. In his keynote opening speech to the conference today, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen stated that climate change has serious impacts on different systems in Africa and influences the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063. “Standing together in the matter of climate change and sustainable development is (therefore a continental) and global responsibility,” he noted. Demeke recommended the African Group of Negotiators to come up with Africa’s common position and the need for enhancing global partnership. In her welcoming remark, Planning and Development Minister Fitsum Assefa said AMCEN is being held at a critical juncture where climate has become climate emergency.   She reiterated the government's commitment to the ratification of global multilateral environmental agreements and development, and the implementation of national environmental and climate change policies and strategies. Fitsum revealed the submission of Ethiopia’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its ambitious 68 percent emission reduction target, inclusion of 40 adaptation options in the updated NDC and the 20 percent finance commitment of the government to implement the NDC. According to the minister, “biodiversity is reducing at an alarming rate even when countries have adapted a framework to curb the situation. Our oceans are being choked with plastic while countries are striving to set ambitious targets on plastic production and use. Toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes have continued to be produced while countries have been striving towards obtaining legally binding agreements.” She added that Africans are the most vulnerable to these challenges and communities are being severely affected. Therefore, this is a collective responsibility, Fitsum pointed out. The minister further pointed out Ethiopia’s commitment in implementing the Green Legacy Initiative by citing as an example the achievement in mobilizing more than 35 million people in a day to plant more than half a billion seedlings.   United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell noted that many African countries are setting ambitious target in NDC’s, despite facing many development challenges. The Executive Secretary said, "We need transparent, equitable and simplified access to climate finance; particularly, for vulnerable countries in Africa. We need to see increased investment on climate resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture.”    

Addis Ababa, August 17/2023 (ENA) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Demeke Mekonnen called on the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) to reinforce collective action toward climate change. A five day 9th ordinary session of AMCEN has been underway in Addis Ababa since 14th August 2023. In his keynote address to the conference, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister stated that the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment is a good platform to come together to tackle the climate change impacts which have resulted in drought and flood in various African countries. According to him, these climate-induced effects also hamper food security and sustainable development in the countries of African continent. The need to work and stand together for Africans with international partners towards mitigation of climate change is mandatory, Demeke stressed. On its part, Ethiopia has developed a comprehensive policy to mitigate climate change including the Green Legacy initiative and National Determined Contribution (NDC). Planning and Development Minister Fitsum Assefa said today's gathering is a manifestation of Africa's determination to combat challenges that are affecting the region. Biodiversity loss is alarmingly increasing, and toxic chemicals are the problem that severely affect the continent, Fitsum pointed out. In this regard, the minister expressed Ethiopia’s commitment to fight the impact of climate change through various engagements. The country has ratified various multilateral agreements on climate change and is doing it best to discharge its responsibility, Fisum said and highlighted the importance of the Green Legacy initiative that was launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. She stated that remarkable progress has been gained since the implementation of the Green Legacy Initiative in reducing carbon emission and land degradation. Ethiopia has also been exerting a maximum effort to expand the initiative to neighboring countries, she indicated. The nineteenth session of AMCEN is aimed at strengthening collaboration among the various institutions and enhancing implementation of regional and global environmental frameworks in order to address the environmental challenges facing the continent.

Addis Ababa, August 16/2023 (ENA) The first Africa Climate Summit is significantly important for the continent to take common position and speak in one voice about the challenges of climate change, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment Josefa Sacko said. The summit under the theme “Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World” will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 4 to 6 2023 and address climate change challenges and advance sustainable solutions in Africa. Briefing journalists on last Wednesday, Commissioner Sacko said that Africa is determined to bring about transformative development in order to achieve Agenda 2063. Africa has embarked on a number of flagship projects to materialize the continent’s aspiration in the blueprint, she stated, and added “we are not seeing much progress because of the climate change.” Africa has the right human and natural resources to achieve our development goals and to contribute to the development of other regions as well as to addressing global challenges, Sacko emphasized. “Yet about 400 million of our people in Africa have no access to clean drinking water and 700 million have no access to good sanitation. As if that is not enough, about 54% of the population is currently in darkness due to lack of electricity, while 800 million people in Africa have no access to clean cooking means, which implies that they are exposed to black carbon which is risky for their health,” she elaborated. Climate change has had a knockout effect on Africa’s development and continues to subject more and more Africans into hunger and malnutrition, stuntedness and poverty, the commissioner pointed out, and stressed “our economies are also shrinking due to the effects of climate change and recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 has been slow.” According to her, debt stress has been compounded by the impacts of COVID-19, climate change and the unfair international monetary systems, which tend to be biased against Africa. The summit will focus just energy transition, green minerals and manufacturing, sustainable agriculture land and water use, sustainable infrastructure and urbanization, and natural capital, it was indicated. The summit will also provide a platform to address the intersection of climate change for Africa's development and for increased global investment in climate action, particularly in Africa. Leaders of African countries and many other international institutions are expected to attend the summit.

Addis Ababa, August 16/2023 (ENA) The first Africa Climate Summit that will be held in Kenya, Nairobi next month, is expected to foster the continent’s solidarity for global action, Kenya Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya saud said. The climate summit under the theme “Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World” will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 4 to 6 September 2023. Briefing journalists today, Kenya Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya saud that the summit will advocate on bringing about new climate finance architecture. The Africa Climate Summit provides an opportunity for leaders to make a united voice in order achieve the desired impact. According to her, about 15 heads of states and 13,000 delegations from across 130 countries have confirmed to participate in the summit. Prior to this summit, the 11th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-XI) will be held in Nairobi, from 1-2 September 2023. The conference will serve as a pre-event of the Africa Climate Summit. CCDA-XI is an annual event of the Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev-Africa), an initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB) Africa has taken a position that it contributes the least to global warming but is the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and therefore has special needs and special circumstances warranting financial support to militate against and adapt to climate change, it was indicated. The continent is also seeking to accelerate implementation of its climate change strategies and actions to avert the catastrophic impacts of global warming and build the resilience of the continent’s economies.  

Addis Ababa ,August 15/2023(ENA):-The 11th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-XI) will be held in Nairobi, Kenya from 1-2 September 2023. CCDA-XI is an annual event of the Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev-Africa), an initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). According to the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the conference will serve as a pre-event of the Africa Climate Summit to be held under the theme; “African Solidarity for Global Climate Action from 4-6 September 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. It will bring together African high level policy makers, senior officials, climate change experts, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to deliberate on the sub themes of the Summit. “Africa has taken a position that it contributes the least to global warming but is the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and therefore has special needs and special circumstances warranting financial support to mitigate against and adapt to climate change,” the organizers stress. The continent is seeking to accelerate implementation of its climate change strategies and actions to avert the catastrophic impacts of global warming and build the resilience of the continent’s economies, the organizers added stating that climate change is a threat to Africa’s development. According to the 2022 Climate Vulnerability Index, nine of the 10 most vulnerable countries are in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2022 Climate Change Report confirms that West Africa, East Africa, and Central Africa are among global hotspots of human vulnerability to climate change. Furthermore, Africa needs around 500 billion USD in climate finance by 2030, according to the AfDB’s Africa Economic Outlook 2022, which also estimated that the continent will need to invest more than 3 trillion USD in mitigation and adaptation in the same period to implement its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. CCDA–XI is expected to come up with detailed analytical, data-driven and evidence-based recommendations on the various sub themes of the Summit. Reports from the conference will contribute to the outcome statements for African Heads of State, towards and beyond the UNFCCC COP28. The first day of the CCDA will consist of technical meetings of these expert groups, while the second day will be a High-Level segment for policy and decision-makers to review and finalize statements for the Summit. Organized ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)’s Conference of Parties known as COP, the CCDA convenes different African stakeholder groups on climate change, to discuss key climate change and development opportunities and challenges for the purpose of implementing sustainable solutions for Africa to deal with climate change. The conference also elicits evidence-based and analytically grounded contributions to the African common position ahead of the COP, which this year is being hosted by the United Arab Emirates.

Addis Ababa, August 14/2023 (ENA)፡-African countries need to come up with a common political stand on UN climate change conference, State Minister of Planning and Development Sandokan Debebe underscored. The nineteenth ordinary session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) kicked off today in Addis Ababa.   The conference, organized under the theme "Seizing opportunity and enhancing collaboration to address environmental challenges in Africa," will be convened for the coming 5 days. In his opening remark, Planning and Development State Minister Sandokan Debebe said Africa faces unique environmental challenges that require innovative solutions. Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiatives which surpassed its ambitious target by planting 25 billion seedlings exemplifies a commitment on nature based solution, he said. The initiative leverage national capacity including tree planting experience, citizen’s engagement, media outreach, fostering a green culture to combat climate change environmental degradation, Sandokan added. Ethiopia's national wheat production program also signifies another domestic endeavor thriving for food sovereignty and resilient in the face of shocks such as droughts. “We need to address this issue including the unwise and unequal utilization of resource, the proportionate severe impact of climate change experienced by Africa manifests through recurrent droughts, hurricanes and rising sea levels. Additionally, the swift loss of biodiversity leading to the wildlife migration and rapid expansion of desertification are pressing matters.” The engagement in internal discussions such as the one taking place today, along with presenting in united and robust stance at the global dialogues is crucial, Sandokan pointed out. "We expect the event participants to commit to presenting Africa's interest in the global negotiations to ensure that our continent benefits from the necessary resource, technical experts while we are maintaining our positions in the global arena," the state minister said.   UN Environment Program UNEP, Regional Director and Representative, Regional Office for Africa, Rose Mwebaza on her part said we face multiple global crises and plastic pollution now is the critical concern that threatens human health and environment in Africa. “Climate change continues to pose profound threat to our nation states. It affects a very survival of our people and therefore at UNEP, we are going to continue working with you to leverage climate finance across the multilateral funds to support the African countries to deal with the climate change,” she said. Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority, Director General Getahun Garedew on his part said we are expecting the meeting to pass resolutions that will help the African group of negotiators in different multilateral environmental agreements.   Now African countries all coming together, we need implementation. As an output from Addis on climate agenda, the common stand of African countries will be that the loss and damages are surpassed and passing irreversible stage, we need action now. “We expect the African group of negotiators to give an input for their respective ministers to have political stand regarding common stand of African countries for the COP session and there are some other multilateral stages that expect input from African countries.” The main objective of the conference that attracted more than 40 environment ministers and over 440 participants, is to strengthen collaboration among the various institutions and enhance implementation of regional and global environmental frameworks in order to address the environmental challenges facing the continent. The session is believed to provide a platform for strengthening Africa’s collective engagement in the global environmental agenda, including in the various conferences of the parties of environmental agreements, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and other multilateral processes related to combating climate change and desertification among others. The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference will convene from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), it was indicated.    

Addis Ababa August 14/2023 (ENA)፡-Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa, has called on other countries to emulate Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative as an essential example for sustainable water protection and conservation. Ethiopia has successfully accomplished first round of the Green Legacy Initiative carried out over the past four years by planting 25 billion tree seedlings. The nation has also planned to plant another 25 billion seedlings in the second phase which is launched this rainy season. According to the Minister, Green Legacy Initiative that has been implemented over the last four years is very beneficial for sustainable water resource protection. Apart from environmental benefits, the saplings planted have a big role to enhancing surface and underground water and increasing river flows as well as to conserving bio diversity of the country, he said. Habtamu stated that other nations should adopt and implement similar programs as the initiative has proven greatly beneficial for climate resilience and water conservation. The Minister said his ministry is collaborating with research institutes to make the water conservation efforts more effective through studies. Habtamu pointed out that Ethiopia has long carried out community watershed and conservation activities, further enhanced by the Green Legacy Initiative. He reiterated his call for other countries to emulate the program as a model for sustainable development.  

Addis Ababa, August 14/2023 (ENA) In this year's Green Legacy Initiative, more than 16 million tree saplings have been planted in Addis Ababa, the Urban Beauty and Green Development Bureau of City Administration announced. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative on June 8, 2023 in Afar region under the theme "Let's plant tomorrow today". At the national level, this year's Green Legacy Initiative gears towards planting 6.5 billion tree saplings. Addis Ababa has set to plant 17 million tree saplings. According to Sintayehu Mengistu, technical advisor to the Urban Beauty and Green Development Bureau, more than 16 million tree saplings have so far been planted in Addis Ababa during the current rainy season as part of the national Green Legacy Initiative. According to plan, the city has managed to planting 60 percent shade trees, 20 percent beautifying trees, and 20 percent fruit trees. Out of the 17 million saplings, we have planted about 16 million, he said.  

Addis Ababa, August 14/2023 (ENA) The nineteenth ordinary session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) kicked off today in Addis Ababa. The conference organized under the theme "Seizing opportunity and enhancing collaboration to address environmental challenges in Africa," will be held until 18 August 2023. At the opening of the conference, State Minister of Planning and Development Sandokan Debebe said Ethiopia has been exerting maximum efforts to mitigate climate change by planting billions of trees. The efforts being made by the government of Ethiopia is nature based solution to climate change, he added noting that the country is also highly engaged in exploring renewable energy which shows the country's commitment to sustainable development. The conference that attracted more than 40 environment ministers and over 440 participants, is expected to help Ethiopia to show case its achievements in Green Legacy Initiative. The main objective of the conference is to strengthen collaboration among the various institutions and enhance implementation of regional and global environmental frameworks in order to address the environmental challenges facing the continent. This entails building on existing initiatives, including strengthening the role of those institutions that support implementation of regional and global outcomes, it was indicated. The session will also aim to further strengthen the work of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment in its contribution to the region’s environment and sustainable development agenda. This includes addressing emerging environmental issues, enhancing collaborative efforts with partners and stakeholders, beefing up its financial base, and review of proposals to strengthen its rules of procedure, as was decided by the resumed 18th ordinary session, among other matters.  

Addis Ababa August 11/2023(ENA):- The nineteenth ordinary session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) will be held from August 14 to 18, 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority [EPA],Director General Getahun Garedew in a press briefing today said the conference will be held under the theme ‘’Seizing opportunities and enhancing collaboration to address environmental challenges in Africa.’’ More than 40 environment ministers and over 440 participants will attend the conference, he said, adding the government is finalizing preparation for the conference. The conference would enable Ethiopia to show case its achievements in Green Legacy Initiative, he pointed out. The session will be preceded by a meeting of major groups and stakeholders (civil society) that will take place on 12 and 13 August 2023. According to him, the focus of the nineteenth session of AMCEN is to strengthen collaboration among the various institutions and enhance implementation of regional and global environmental frameworks in order to address the environmental challenges facing the continent. This entails building on existing initiatives, including strengthening the role of those institutions that support implementation of regional and global outcomes, he noted adding the recent policy direction of AMCEN is that a large focus of its work should support implementation. He further noted that, the session will provide a platform for strengthening Africa’s collective engagement in the global environmental agenda, including in the various conference of the parties of environmental agreements, the (UNEA) and other multilateral processes related to combating climate change, desertification, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution, among others, It is also expected to help ensure that the region is not only able to address the challenges in these areas but also seizes emerging opportunities for a sustainable development of the continent. According to him, the session will be an opportunity for ministers to provide policy guidance for upcoming key environmental events, including the 28th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Africa Climate Summit among others. The session will also aim to further strengthen the work of AMCEN in its contribution to the region’s environment and sustainable development agenda. This includes addressing emerging environmental issues, enhancing collaborative efforts with partners and stakeholders, beefing up its financial base (AMCEN Trust Fund), and review of proposals to strengthen its rules of procedure, as was decided by the resumed 18th ordinary session, among other matters.  

  Addis Ababa, August 07/2023 (ENA) The efforts being made to conserve national parks and strengthen forestations through the Green Legacy Initiative in Ethiopia play significant role to enhance tourism development and environmental protection, Ambassador of France to Ethiopia, Rémi Maréchaux. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Ambassador Maréchaux said the Green Legacy Initiative and the national parks preservation activities belong to the same approach in preserving the national assets of Ethiopia which are crucial to strengthen the tourism sector and benefits of the people. He said that to increase the tourism industry, the protection of bio-diversity and preserve the wellbeing of the environment is essential. In this regard, Ethiopia’s environmental protection activities being carried out through its Green Legacy Initiative, a flagship program initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in June 2019, is also believed to boost biodiversity in addition to its contribution to ensuring food security of the country. As per the initiative, the nation has planted 25 billion seedlings in four years exceeding the target by 5 billion. Ethiopia’s forest coverage has jumped over 17 percent due to the planting of seedlings carried out during the stated years through the initiative. Ambassador Maréchaux pointed out that the efforts being made through the Green Legacy Initiative and conserve national parks in Ethiopia play significant role to enhance tourism development and environmental protection. According to him, Ethiopia is endowed with enormous varieties of plant and animal species vital to the development of ecotourism. Ethiopia is an incredibly rich country for biodiversity with more than 6000 plant species amongst which 10 percent are endemic. Ethiopia is also house of many endemic animal species. It has thus a leading role in the preservation of biodiversity. Therefore, the Ambassador said, besides the conservation of the historical heritages of Ethiopia, such as the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, it is very important to complement these assets by conserving wild life assets in order to help flourish the tourism sector of the country. It is to be noted the French Development Agency, AFD, and the Hailemariam & Roman Foundation (HRF) have signed a 5-million-Euro grant agreement for a project to preserve Ethiopia's Maze National Park and its watershed last week. The ambassador said “This project is the first of its kind regarding of the biodiversity, so it is very important to start with this Maze National park project region of the country of rich biodiversity projects this one is the first in Ethiopia. He further expressed hope that the project will be followed by other projects to conserve other national parks and all together with the heritages it will help to increase the tourist attractions of Ethiopia. ‘’We can be exemplary for other Ethiopian National Parks and that wildlife could become tourist attractions in addition to the heritages in Ethiopia.’’ The project on the Preservation of Maze National Park (MzNP) and its Watershed in Ethiopia is envisaged to make the park a model of well-managed, functional national park which adequately renders social, economic, and ecological benefits to the local communities that have long been the guardians of this relatively intact park. France has been working in collaboration with Ethiopia in the tourism sector in protecting and restoring historical heritages, and human resources development in the tourism sector including the preservation of the Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches.  

Addis Ababa August 2/2023(ENA):- The Embassy of Ethiopia in Islamabad, Pakistan, launched the Green Legacy Initiative today by planting diverse species of tree seedlings on the premises of the embassy. Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula, alongside federal ministers and business representatives, planted diverse species of trees, including jacaranda, avocado, pine, and olive, among others.   According to the embassy’s press release, the ambassador praised the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on the occasion and commended the Green Legacy Initiative for its significant impact in addressing climate challenges, conserving the environment, generating employment opportunities, and ensuring food security in Ethiopia. He said 25 billion seedlings of trees, fruits, and cattle feeds were planted during the first phase of the Green Legacy Initiative which was launched in 2019. On 17th July 2023, the second phase commenced under the theme "Let's plant our future today," aiming to plant another 25 billion seedlings across Ethiopia. Notably, Ambassador Jemal said Ethiopia achieved a remarkable feat on 17th July 2023 by planting over 550 million seedlings in 12 hours, which was a success that garnered immense support from more than 32 million people participating in the initiative this year. Beyond national borders, he stated that the Green Legacy Initiative earned recognition at the international and regional levels, inspiring neighboring countries to undertake massive tree plantation campaigns to shield the African continent from the adverse impacts of climate change.   Pakistani Minister for Aviation and Railways, Khawaja Saad Rafique extended gratitude to the Government of Ethiopia for supporting his country in carrying out flood relief activities in the country in the recent past. He also welcomed the Green Legacy Initiative in Pakistan and vowed cooperation with the Ethiopian Government in this regard. Pakistani Aviation and Railways Minister Khaja Saad Rafique, Narcotics Control Minister Nawabzada Shazain Bugti, PM Special Advisor Ahsan Zafar Bakhatawari, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, representative of diplomatic corps, senior officers from the Climate Change Ministry, religious leaders, youth association, and media outlets attended the plantation, the release said.      

Addis Ababa August 2/2023(ENA):- The planting of tree seedlings in Ethiopia through the Green Legacy Initiative is a unique model and a very clear illustration of willingness to mitigate climate change in Africa, Morocco's Ambassador Nezha Alaoui M'hammdi said. The Green Legacy Initiative is a flagship program that succeeded in planting 25 billion seedlings, fruit trees and cattle feeds within four years. The second phase of the program was launched to plant another 25 billion seedlings in June 2023, targeting to plant another 25 billion seedlings in the coming four years. In an exclusive interview with ENA, the Moroccan ambassador said she was impressed by the project because the diplomatic corps has been invited to take part in planting trees. “It is very impressive for many reasons because it is a unique model and it is a very clear illustration of willingness to mitigate climate change in African countries in an area or region where climate change is affecting not only agriculture and economy but also the population.” The ambassador noted that we talk about displaced people because of security, but we have in Africa unfortunately displaced people for climate change reasons and the Horn of Africa is a clear illustration of that. “Having a country like Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa and in Africa in general, showing this very commendable project of planting trees every year is an example for not only African countries, but also for other countries out of Africa because fighting or mitigating climate change today is not a luxury. It is necessity because we live it,” M'hammdi underscored. Elaborating on the significance of the project, she stated that as a resident of Addis Ababa just this year it is the first time for her to see that the rainy season is no longer like before; and this is the impact of the climate change. Therefore, this endeavor is impressive and an example for all of us. Many experts point out that the Green Legacy will have irreplaceable role for Ethiopia’s economic growth and development by enhancing the nation’s forest coverage and withstanding the impact of climate change. Following the massive tree seedlings in Ethiopia, forest coverage has jumped over 17 percent in the past four years through the Green Legacy Initiative. Moreover, Ethiopians across the country have recently planted 500 million seedlings in 12 hours or half a day as part of the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative.  

Addis Ababa, July 24/2023 (ENA) Ethiopia can earn 500 million USD every year from carbon trading through the Green Legacy Initiative, National REDD+ Coordinator Yitebitu said. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Ethiopia REDD+ Coordinator Yitebitu Moges explained that carbon trading is a market-based system in which developed countries pay developing countries that develop forestry to absorb carbon and engage in development practices that reduce specific amounts of carbon. In Ethiopia, 25 billion tree seedlings have been planted or 10 million hectares covered with seedlings over the past five years and 10 million of hectare, sequestering 5 tons of carbon dioxide every year, he said. “If you are able to find market that buys a ton of carbon dioxide with 10 USD, that means we have 500 million USD flowing to Ethiopia every year from the ten million hectares of forest that has been growing.” Sequestering carbon by planting trees means growing money, the coordinator noted, adding that it should therefore be promoted like other sectors. According to him, there is high level support from the government in terms of planting trees and protecting forests, but the investment on experts in resources mobilization and carbon trading is limited. Establishing a system for carbon accounting, measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification system is necessary, Yitebitu noted, adding that experts that are able to write monitoring report and invite people from abroad to validate and verify our numbers for carbon sequestration or emission reduction are also crucial. In addition to carbon trading, he elaborated on the importance of tree seedlings in preventing soil erosion entering the Abay basin. With afforestation in the basin, soil erosion can be prevented and clean water will flow into the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam supplying energy sustainably, he pointed out. What happens in Ethiopia right now is the rain falls on deforested landscape and goes into the ocean as flood. During the dry season, there is shortage of water because the abundant water during the rainy season has not been caught. “The best instrument is forestry to really regulate this discrepancy so that you will have a smooth flow of water during the rainy as well as the dry seasons.” The demand of timber is also very huge in Ethiopia and the country is paying 400 million USD every year to import finished furniture products, the coordinator noted. Timber planting is therefore needed in order to fulfill the demand for construction, industry and furniture. In this regard, the coordinator emphasized that the Green Legacy Initiative is an exemplary work; and many countries know about it and their ambassadors participate in the tree planting in Ethiopia. The REDD+ Coordinator disclosed that Saudi Arabia and Kenya are replicating this strategy. The National REDD+ Strategy (NRS) contributes a large part to the Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy and Ethiopia's greening targets in 2030, while maximizing national co-benefits thereby adding to the global climate change mitigation efforts through improving forest resource and land management.          

Addis Ababa July 19/2023(ENA):-The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Ethiopia's green diplomacy work is gaining international recognition. The ministry's spokesperson, Ambassador Meles Alem, gave a biweekly press briefing to local media and foreign correspondents focusing on green diplomacy work and foreign relations. In his briefing, the spokesperson said that history has been made at the national level by planting more than 566 million saplings in 12 hours.   Spearheaded by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopians planted a record of 566 million tree seedlings on Monday July 17. Meles said that members of the diplomatic community based in Addis Ababa participated in the green legacy program. Ethiopian missions around the world also took part in this activity, Meles said. The Green Legacy Initiative is exemplary not only for Africa but also for the whole world, he said, adding that the green diplomacy has won international recognition. He underlined that the green legacy has gone beyond Ethiopia and now it has become an African program. According to Meles, the Ministry will play its part in preserving Ethiopia's green history. The Ministry expressed its gratitude to members of the diplomatic community who participated in the second round campaign of green legacy initiative. On the other hand, the spokesperson said Ethiopia’s path from conflict to peace has drawn the attention of various countries and boosted the national image building activities. The ambassador noted the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union held in Nairobi, Kenya, where Ethiopia’s transition from conflict to peace has drawn the attention of various countries. He added that it was a conference where it was possible to tell Africans about Ethiopia's path to peace after the conflict, underpinning the reconstruction, transitional justice and national dialogue. The Spokesperson further said that the country has succeeded in formulating and implementing its agendas and carrying out bilateral relations.