Norway Hails Ethiopia’s GLI Commitment, Reaffirms Climate , Forestry Partnership

Addis Ababa, January 30, 2026 (ENA) - Norway has praised Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) and reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with the country on climate action, forestry preservation, and sustainable livelihoods, Norwegian Ambassador to Ethiopia Stian Christensen said.

The ambassador said to ENA exclusively that Norway’s cooperation with Ethiopia on climate and forestry stands as the largest and most significant component of the bilateral partnership, anchored in the Ethiopian government’s strong political commitment.

“The reason for our long-standing support and cooperation and partnership with Ethiopia on this file, on climate and forestry, is the Government of Ethiopia's commitment, spearheaded by the Prime Minister himself, on preserving forests,” Ambassador Christensen said.

“…, this is by far the biggest component of our bilateral partnership as well.”, he added.

He noted that Norway’s Climate and Forestry Programme with Ethiopia focuses on forestation, reducing deforestation, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods that go hand in hand with environmental protection—an approach he said is vital not only for Ethiopia but also for the wider region.

According to the ambassador, Norway works closely with key Ethiopian institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Planning and Development, to ensure that climate and forestry efforts reach communities at the grassroots level.

“The point is to go down to the local level, where people live, and work together with the Ethiopian Government and the local farmers, the local population out there, to try to create an environment where they see the benefit in protecting their forests, by facilitating livelihoods that go hand in hand with the preservation of forests,” he explained.

He described the cooperation as a multi-layered partnership involving federal, regional, and local authorities, aimed at strengthening Ethiopia’s capacity to deliver sustainable environmental outcomes.

“For us, it’s about supporting Ethiopia’s ability to do this job, which it is committed to doing,” Christensen said, adding that he sees “a lot of capacity at government level, at regional level, and at local level by now.”

The ambassador said tangible results are already visible on the ground, particularly in reforestation efforts being carried out across the country.

“You see it also in the results, in the reforestation that is happening in Ethiopia now,” he said.

“I’m really encouraged by that, by the GLI, which goes hand in hand with it, spearheaded by the Prime Minister.”

Beyond climate and forestry, Christensen highlighted Norway’s support for Ethiopia’s agricultural value chains, particularly through the UNIDO Global Market Access Programme (GMAP), which focuses on strengthening sectors such as apiculture from production to market.

He said Norway, through the Norwegian Agency for Development, has been supporting the programme for several years, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity.

“The inclusion of women and youth is a key component of the Global Market Access Programme,” he said.

“That remains a very strong Norwegian priority across the globe in all the support we do—not just for moral reasons, but also because it makes a lot of economic success.”

The ambassador also pointed to growing cooperation in higher education, technology, and digital transformation, including collaboration on Ethiopia’s digital ID agenda, and expressed Norway’s readiness to explore further partnerships in these areas.

On regional and strategic issues, Christensen said Norway recognizes Ethiopia’s national priorities, including the importance of access to the sea for the country’s long-term development.

“We certainly recognize the importance of access to the sea for such a huge country,” he said, expressing confidence that Ethiopia will find sustainable solutions through existing and potential routes.

Ambassador Christensen underscored that Norway’s partnership with Ethiopia is built on long-term commitment, mutual trust, and shared goals, particularly in advancing climate resilience, sustainable development, and inclusive economic growth.