Islamabad (GNP): Pakistani citizens joined Ethiopia’s nationwide tree-planting campaign, part of the country’s Green Legacy Initiative led by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, through a local plantation drive organized by the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority.
The event drew participants from the diplomatic community, business leaders, media, and civil society, held in solidarity with Ethiopia’s ambitious goal of planting 800 million seedlings in a single day.
Remarks from Ethiopian Embassy
Ethiopian Chargé d’Affaires Melaw Getachew briefed attendees on the impact of the Green Legacy Initiative, noting that Ethiopia has already planted more than 48 billion seedlings under the program to date. He said the Islamabad event was organized to stand alongside Ethiopia in its efforts, and highlighted Ethiopia’s growing role in global climate leadership, pointing to Addis Ababa’s upcoming role as host of the COP32 climate summit.
Zafar Bakhtawari, Chairman of the Clean and Green Movement Islamabad and former President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce, praised Ethiopia’s reforestation efforts, noting that the Green Legacy Initiative aligns closely with the goals of Islamabad’s own Clean and Green Movement and reflects the value of coordinated global climate action.
Background on Ethiopia’s Campaign
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed formally launched this year’s tree-planting campaign on July 31 at Abajifar Palace in Jimma, with a target of planting 700 million saplings under the theme “Renewal Through Planting.”
The initiative mobilized millions of Ethiopians nationwide in what organizers describe as an effort to set a global record for the largest single-day tree-planting campaign.
Abiy described the initiative as a major national achievement, noting that this year’s drive is expected to result in approximately 8 billion seedlings planted.
He said the widespread public participation reflects Ethiopia’s ability to organize around large-scale national goals, comparing the significance of the Green Legacy Initiative to that of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as one of the country’s major undertakings.
He noted that beyond reversing deforestation and land degradation, the program also supports food security and poverty reduction.
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Over the past six years, Ethiopia has planted more than 40 billion seedlings as part of the initiative. If this year’s target is met, the cumulative total will reach roughly 48 billion, bringing the country closer to its long-term goal of 50 billion trees. The initiative was recognized in 2025 with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Sustainable Forest Management and Utilization Award.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
