AMN PLUS-August 3, 2026
President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Taye Atske Selassie stated that Ethiopia’s annual Green Legacy Initiative has become a major national movement that has turned the country’s long-held dream of environmental restoration into reality and has helped change its history of drought and hardship.
According to President Taye, the Green Legacy Initiative, which was launched in 2019 under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), has ushered in a new era in which Ethiopia is realizing the aspirations it has long dreamed of.
Although Ethiopia is richly endowed with natural resources, the President recalled that the country’s previous limited commitment to environmental development and conservation left it vulnerable to severe climate change, drought, and various social hardships.
“We ourselves, even in our lifetime, have witnessed many forms of suffering and hardship. As a nation, we have paid a heavy price due to desertification and drought,” President Taye said.
He explained that the Green Legacy program is one of the major national initiatives designed to transform this history of drought and suffering.
The President noted that people across Ethiopia are now planting tree seedlings with great determination for their own well-being, for their livelihoods, and for future generations. He added that this year’s target of planting 8 billion seedlings is an ambitious plan that reflects both the country’s needs and the commitment of its people.
President Taye also pointed out that only a few countries in the world undertake tree-planting programs of such scale and scope. He said Ethiopia’s efforts continue to set world records and are helping secure the international recognition, prestige, and benefits that the country deserves.
By Leta Teresa
