Green Legacy Initiative Advancing Ethiopia’s Forest Cover, Combatting Poverty

Addis Ababa, July 31, 2025 (ENA) - The Green Legacy Initiative continues to serve as a pivotal driver in Ethiopia’s national journey to restore degraded landscapes, expand forest cover, and fight poverty.

Launched in 2019 by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the initiative has evolved into a nationwide movement rooted in environmental sustainability, food security, and intergenerational equity.

This transformative initiative addresses multiple pressing challenges like reversing deforestation, curbing land degradation, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

It is not merely a path of ecological recovery; it is a bold reinvention of Ethiopia’s development trajectory, integrating environmental renewal into the heart of its economic and social planning.

The Prosperity Party (PP) leadership and head office staff have also participated in a one-day tree-planting campaign along the banks of the Abuare Genfile River in Addis Ababa, with active engagement signified both symbolic and practical support for a greener, more resilient Ethiopia.

Sema Tiruneh, Head of the Political and Capacity Building Sector at the PP, emphasized that the initiative is more than an ecological initiative; it is a pillar of Ethiopia’s broader pursuit of food self-sufficiency.

The initiative also boosts agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods as tree planting contributes to improved soil fertility, better rainfall patterns, and diversified agroforestry practices.

“The green legacy,” Sema noted, “is a vital means of handing over a prosperous and clean country to future generations.”

Moges Balcha, Head of the Addis Ababa Branch Office of the Party, remarked that tree planting is becoming deeply embedded in the national psyche, an act of civic duty, patriotism, and self-sacrifice.

 

He noted how this growing environmental consciousness is reshaping Ethiopia’s global image, projecting a nation that is not only reclaiming its degraded lands but also redefining its role as a leader in climate resilience.

“The culture of planting trees is becoming a national ethos,” Moges said, “and we must work collectively to sustain and expand the gains we have achieved.”

Temesgen Burka, Deputy Head of Research and Development at the Party Headquarters, described the initiative as a “symbol of shared commitment between the people and the government,” underscoring that the campaign is not confined to one generation; it is a gift to those who will inherit the country’s lands and ecosystems.

 

“This is more than an initiative, it’s a collective victory,” Temesgen asserted, “one that binds the government and the people in a common purpose.”

In a stirring message, Fedila Biya, Vice President of the PP Youth Wing, likened the Green Legacy to “this generation’s Adwa”, a metaphor invoking the spirit of national pride, unity, and determination shown during Ethiopia’s historic victory over colonialism.

 

“Just as our ancestors left us a legacy of sovereignty, we must leave behind a green, flourishing Ethiopia for future generations,” she said, calling on youth and citizens alike to embrace the initiative as a patriotic mission.

The Green Legacy Initiative is not just about planting trees, it is about planting hope, sustainability, and economic renewal.

As Ethiopia battles the twin threats of environmental degradation and poverty, the initiative provides a powerful, unifying solution rooted in community participation and long-term vision.