GLI Immensely Contributing for Food Sovereignty: Mayor Adanech

Addis Ababa, July 31, 2025 (ENA) -- The Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) is of paramount contribution to ensure food sovereignty in the country, Mayor of Addis Ababa City Adanech Abiebie said.

The Mayor along with residents of the city has participated in the national tree planting campaign of 700 million seedlings in 12 hours today.

Mayor Adanech planted seedlings at Ginfle riverside in Addis Ababa.  

Speaking at the occasion, the Mayor said that some 271 planting sites are prepared across the city to plant seedlings as part of the national campaign of breaking a record by planting 700 million tree seedlings per a single day.

The Green Legacy Initiative would enable the nation to build climate resilience economy while fostering healthy environment, protecting soil degradation and ecological conservation, the Mayor added.

Beyond its environmental purpose, she emphasized the importance of green legacy initiative in ensuring food security of the people as the planting includes edible tree seedlings.

“We can ensure our food sovereignty through this green legacy initiative. We are planting seedlings that are not just trees to beautify the city but also food plants--fruit-bearing seedlings,” she noted.

The spirit within the green legacy initiative is unity and collaboration, she said, noting that green legacy initiative is one of the grand agenda that Ethiopians in unison have been actively engaged in it.

Regardless of any social and cultural backgrounds, all segments of the society have been planting tree seedlings and lay foot print for the next generation, the Mayor said.

She elaborated “Elders, children, youth, women, professional associations, political parties, government employees, civil societies, among others have been actively participating in the national campaign. The sprit within the campaign is unity and cooperation.”    

Above all, efforts have been underway to make Addis Ababa a livable city for its residents, the Mayor underscored, pointing out that the greenery coverage of the city, recently, has been raised from 2.8 to 22 percent.

Addis Ababa Police Commissioner, Getu Argaw said that people want clean and healthy environment as they need safety and security.

Hence, green development through planting seedlings is crucial initiative to have clean and sustainable environment, the commissioner added.

In this respect, the police force has a dual mission of ensuring peace and security of the people as well as protecting and conserving the environment through planting seedlings, he emphasized, expressing commitment to continuing engagement in the initiative.