Ethiopia launched the Green Legacy Initiative 2025 under the theme “Renewal Through Planting” in a ceremony held on Friday (June 27), at the Addis International Convention Center. The event marked the beginning of the seventh annual tree-planting season of the national campaign, which began in 2019, with the goal of planting 7.5 billion seedlings this rainy season to reach a cumulative total of 47.5 billion.
The ceremony was attended by high-level dignitaries including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Vice President of Nigeria Kashim Shettima, Speaker of the House Tagesse Chafo, Chief Administrators of Regional States, ministers, military leaders, ambassadors, and thousands of citizens from all walks of life.
In his keynote speech, Prime Minister Abiy emphasized Ethiopia’s vision of achieving food security and environmental restoration through grassroots participation. He stressed that the Green Legacy has not only improved agricultural productivity but also played a role in building national pride, economic resilience, and inspiring African unity.
The Prime Minister called on Ethiopians to continue embracing the campaign as a symbol of collective effort and national transformation. He noted that the Green Legacy is a vision for the future and has played an irreplaceable role in making our country a preferred destination for tourism and international conferences, beyond helping reduce dependence on food aid.
In his message, the Prime Minister called upon all Ethiopians to actively take part in this year’s Green Legacy campaign.
Vice President Kashim Shettima of Nigeria, speaking at the event, praised Ethiopia’s bold leadership and reaffirmed Nigeria’s solidarity with Ethiopia in attaining shared environmental and developmental goals. He noted that Nigeria and Ethiopia, as Africa’s most populous nations, carry a unique responsibility in addressing climate change, given the high cost of inaction. In fact, over the week, a shipment of 4,000 seedlings successfully arrived at Abuja International Airport, marking a tangible step towards fostering a more sustainable future for both nations. The gesture underscores the deepening bilateral relations and the shared commitment of Ethiopia and Nigeria to addressing climate change and promoting ecological restoration. It also exemplifies the spirit of Pan-African collaboration in environmental stewardship and is anticipated to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
Launched in 2019 as part of Ethiopia’s Climate Resilient Green Economy strategy, the Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) aims to achieve food self-sufficiency, combat climate change, promote reforestation, and support economic development, addressing several national priorities. This year’s target of 7.5 billion seedlings is part of a broader goal to reach 54 billion by next year.