WFP Reaffirms Commitment to Supporting Ethiopia’s Impressive Strides in Climate Action, Food Security

Addis Ababa, September 12, 2025 (ENA) -- The World Food Program (WFP) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s recent notable strides in climate action and food security initiatives.

Ethiopia has made significant strides in climate action through various initiatives as the country has integrated climate resilience into its national development plans, and advanced climate-smart agriculture.

Through the mass tree planting, including fruit and fodder trees, the country is creating a foundation for national food security and economic resilience as well.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, WFP Country Director in Ethiopia Zlatan Milisic commended Ethiopia's commitment and investment in green legacy program which is exemplary for others.

“I am quite impressed by Ethiopia's commitment and investment in this green legacy program,” he affirmed.

Ethiopia has planted over 48 billion trees since the launch of the initiative by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2019.

Milisic recognized Ethiopia’s commitment to moving the whole country forward on climate action, and also on the broader food security, and food systems.

“I think it's very important also to recognize that Ethiopia is recognizing what they need to do more and do better in order to move the whole country forward on climate action, but also on the broader food security, and food systems,” the country director elaborated.

Recall that Ethiopia has made significant strides in food security through initiatives like the national wheat farming initiative, achieving self-sufficiency by transforming from a wheat importer to Africa's largest producer.

The "Bounty of the Basket" (Yelemat Tirufat) program also boosts diverse food production like dairy, fish, and chicken, while the Green Legacy Initiative combats climate change and enhances nutrition through tree planting.

“We see a lot of initiatives and investments in agriculture, in food systems, in the ability for the country to take care of the people affected by disasters, and to be less dependent on foreign aid,” the country director further stated.

Acknowledging all these national initiatives, he reaffirmed the commitment of the WFP to continue supporting various initiatives of the government in building a more resilient community.

He also explained: “We are very happy at WFP to work a lot with the national government offices, ministries, and disaster risk commission, helping them build their systems to be more robust, more resilient, and also to build the resilience of the people and of the community.”

Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative and its broader goal of food self-sufficiency are intertwined, with the initiative aiming to restore ecosystems, improve soil and water resources, and boost agricultural productivity.