On 18^th May, Prime Minister Abiy launched the 2021 edition of the Green Legacy Initiative, a tree-planting campaign aimed at curbing the effects of climate change and deforestation. During the upcoming rainy season, Ethiopia plans on planting 6 billion seedlings.

PM @AbiyAhmedAli officially launched the 2021 edition of the #GreenLegacy Initiative.

This year, 6 billion seedlings🌱 will be planted across #Ethiopia as part of efforts to fight the effects of #deforestation and #climatechange.#ClimateAction #TogetherForOurPlanet pic.twitter.com/qeJq5xgQ9T

— Ethiopian Embassy UK | #EthiopiaInUK 🇪🇹🇬🇧 (@EthioEmbassyUK) May 18, 2021

Launching the campaign in a meeting hall filled with freshly-watered seedlings, Prime Minister Abiy said this year’s tree-planting drive will take place under the theme, “Let’s Adorn Ethiopia”.

“Preventing flooding, food insecurity, environment-related conflicts, and other adverse effects is in our hands,” the Prime Minister said.

“When I call upon all Ethiopians to “Adorn Ethiopia” the call is to cover our nation Green; to see beyond lines of division – regional, ethnic, religious, sex – and in unity dress Ethiopia with the prosperity and dignity the people of this great nation deserve.”

Discussions held during the launching ceremony focused on restoring the country’s green cover, eliminating erosion and pollution, reducing conflicts arising due to environmental degradation and reduction of natural resources, and measures to support Ethiopia’s agricultural sector and economy.

As part of the launching week, the Prime Minister’s office also briefed members of the diplomatic community and investors on the Initiative, highlighting achievements registered during the previous planting sessions and future activities.

Ethiopia has taken bold leadership in climate action. As part of the Green Legacy Initiative, which was launched in 2019, 20 billion trees will be planted across the country over four years. So far, 4 billion seedlings were planted in 2019, including the infamous record-breaking 353 million seedlings in one day, while in 2020, 5 billion seedlings were planted. In 2021, 6 billion trees will be planted.

This year, the campaign is also going regional – an additional 1 billion seedlings will be sent to neighbouring countries to start a regional effort towards a green Africa.