Ethiopia Mobilizes Millions to Accelerate Green Legacy Drive, Climate Resilience: Officials

Addis Ababa, August 1, 2026 (ENA—Ethiopia is mobilizing millions of citizens through a nationwide movement to accelerate environmental restoration, with the country preparing to plant 800 million tree seedlings in a single day next Monday.

The move is part of its ambitious target of 8 billion seedlings during the current rainy season, senior government officials on Saturday.

Speaking at a High-Level Diplomatic Dinner held as part of the Leadership Conference and Diplomatic Simulation (LCC) 2026, the ministers said Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative has evolved into one of the world’s largest environmental restoration campaigns, driven by mass public participation, particularly among women and young people.

Agriculture Minister Addisu Arega told diplomats and international partners that the nationwide planting campaign reflects Ethiopia’s broader vision of building a greener, more resilient, and more prosperous future.

 

“This is not simply an environmental campaign,” he said.

“It is a national movement that embodies our determination to restore ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, and secure sustainable prosperity for future generations.”

He said this year’s conference theme, “Green Legacy for Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Green Innovation,” aligns closely with the Green Legacy Initiative, which is being implemented under the national motto “Together Let Us Plant Hope.”

According to Addisu, agriculture remains the foundation of Ethiopia’s economy and the livelihood of millions of citizens, making climate-resilient agricultural transformation central to the country’s development strategy.

“Our vision is clear: to build productive, climate-resilient, and market-oriented agricultural systems that improve the lives of millions of Ethiopians while safeguarding our natural resources for generations to come,” he said.

Launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2019, the Green Legacy Initiative has become a flagship national program aimed at restoring degraded landscapes, conserving biodiversity, improving agricultural productivity, strengthening food security, protecting water resources, and enhancing resilience to climate change.

 

Addisu said the initiative’s impact is already measurable, noting that Ethiopia’s forest cover has increased from 17.2 percent to 23.6 percent.

In recognition of this achievement, the initiative received the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Sustainable Forest Management and Utilization Award in 2025.

He emphasized that the success of the initiative has been driven by broad public participation, particularly by young Ethiopians who have prepared land, raised seedlings, planted millions of trees, and ensured their long-term survival.

“The commitment of our youth demonstrates that environmental stewardship and national development go hand in hand,” he said.

Minister of Women and Social Affairs Ergoge Tesfaye said the Green Legacy Initiative has become a powerful expression of Ethiopia’s National Volunteerism Program, which mobilizes millions of citizens every year for environmental protection, community development, and social solidarity.

 

Through the program, women and young people have emerged as the driving force behind afforestation, watershed rehabilitation, and community mobilization across the country, she said.

“For Ethiopia, the Green Legacy is far more than the planting of billions of seedlings,” Ergoge said. “It is about restoring ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, strengthening food security, conserving water resources, improving livelihoods, and building communities that are resilient to a changing climate.”

She stressed that women and youth are not passive beneficiaries of climate action, but leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers shaping Ethiopia’s green transformation.

As Ethiopia prepares to host the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32) in 2027, Ergoge said the country aims to demonstrate practical, people-centered climate solutions that integrate environmental restoration with sustainable agriculture, gender inclusion, youth leadership, and green economic development.

“Our purpose extends beyond hosting an international conference,” she said. “It is to show how communities, volunteers, women, young people, and development partners can work together to restore landscapes, strengthen resilience, and create green economic opportunities.”