Diplomats and Foreign Investors Join Tree-Planting Drive, Applaud Ethiopia’s Strong Climate Action Commitment

Addis Ababa, July 31, 2025 (ENA) -- The Ethiopian government is leading a major nationwide effort to protect the environment and build a sustainable future through a massive tree planting campaign, diplomats and foreign investors based in Ethiopia remarked.

This morning, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially launched a one-day campaign to plant 700 million saplings at Abajifar Palace in Jimma.

Millions of Ethiopians across the country joined the initiative, making it the largest single-day tree planting event globally.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the campaign is part of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, which aims to plant approximately eight billion trees this year, with over eight billion seedlings already prepared.

Investors and diplomats who participated in the event praised Ethiopia’s commitment to combating climate change and creating a better future.

Wim Vanhelleputte, CEO of Safaricom Ethiopia, said, “It's our common responsibility that all companies, hand in hand with the government, we work together to make sure that these initiatives are continued, so that both nature and humans can live hand in hand.

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Noting that this initiative is a common effort of everybody, Vanhelleputte stressed the need to provide support to the ongoing efforts of Ethiopia in this regard.

"We encourage the government and all private companies, all international organizations, to put their weight behind these kind of initiatives, because they are long-lasting for us today, but also for the people who come after us.”

He added, “Plant a tree. It will be there for your children, for your grandchildren, they will appreciate the effort that you've made today, because it's in the interest of humanity that we all make our hands dirty and start planting trees.”

Minister Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Addis Ababa, Liu Xiaoguang,
stated, “We are very more than happy to be part of the green legacy initiative. I think this is a joint effort by the international community to combat the impacts of climate change and  create a better future for our next generations."

I'm so glad China is a large part of this collaboration, he said, adding that there are a lot of cooperations between Ethiopia and China in the area.

"We have been transferring the technologies and the carbon emission controls. And we introduce a lot of technologies here in Ethiopia. And we will introduce the most, the most advanced and cutting-edge technologies here in Ethiopia.”

Mahdi Zemmouchi, General Manager at Ethiopian Steel Production and Building Company, commended the commitment of Ethiopia in its efforts to combat climate change, expressing his joy for participating in today’s planting program.

 

"I enjoyed it, and it gives me renewed hope. The good thing is, I’m more motivated to plant trees and to think about our environment, because Ethiopia is really taking this seriously."

And this gives such a good picture of Ethiopia, he said, inviting investors to come here to Ethiopia.

By 3:00 PM today, over 648 million seedlings had already been planted across Ethiopia, according to the Government Communication Service. 

Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is a powerful example of government-led climate action, mobilizing millions to restore degraded lands and build climate resilience for future generations.