President Taye Highlights Huge Benefits of Green Legacy Initiative

Addis Ababa, August 3, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is a landmark effort that protects the environment, mitigates the impacts of climate change, and improves the livelihoods of farmers across the country, President Taye Atske Selassie said.

The President, along with staff members, participated in today’s tree-planting campaign at the Chaka Project in Addis Ababa.

The planting of 800-million tree-seedlings in-a-day campaign is part of a wider national effort that aims at accelerating reforestation and supporting long-term environmental restoration.

Speaking at the event, President Atske Selassie noted that expanded tree coverage will restore catchments, strengthen water resources, and support the availability of water for communities in downstream regions.

He added that Ethiopia’s highlands are the source of many rivers, and increasing tree planting would help improve water retention and propagation of water resources.

Beyond planting trees, the Green Legacy Initiative also focuses on seedlings that produce food, President Atske Selassie stated, elaborating that this approach not only restores ecosystems but also advances food security and transforms the livelihoods of farmers

Furthermore, he underscored the importance of leadership-driven efforts to reverse environmental losses by working in collaboration with communities to sustain long-term gains.

Millions of Ethiopians are taking part in today's ongoing massive campaign—a collective environmental action rarely matched globally.