Deputy PM, Ambassadors discuss on sharing of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative to horn region

Addis Ababa, June 15, 2021 (FBC) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen consults Ambassadors stationed in neighboring countries on sharing Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative to the horn of Africa.

The plan was announced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently as an integrated part of the third round Green Legacy Initiative launched this year intending to plant 6 billion seedlings in Ethiopia alone.

During the meeting, the deputy Prime Minister underscored that sharing Ethiopia’s experience of the initiative that gives protection of the environment a priority for building a Green Economy, with neighbors will promote peaceful relations with the people of the region.

Besides ensuring the wellbeing of the environment in the region, the experience will further boost transboundary economic cooperation and cement ties with governments of the neighboring countries, he added.

The Ethiopian mission leaders have been given the responsibility to make sure that the seedlings to be planted in each country take into account the ecological and economic benefits of the countries.

Mission leaders are also expected to create contacts with relevant bodies in the host nations, study their specific needs, and set up action plans and monitoring mechanisms for the success of the project.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission, Ethiopian Airlines, and other agencies will work together to make the project successful.

The launch of the Green Legacy program in neighboring countries is expected to be attended by senior government officials of the host nations, members of the Ethiopian Diaspora, and other stakeholders.

The ambassadors who attended the meeting said they have been working for the success of the plan by holding a series of discussions thus far with relevant agencies in each country.

The third round of the Green Legacy Initiative was launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently, in the presence of high-level officials and Presidents of regional States pledging to provide Ethiopia with a forest cover by planting billions of seedlings.