Addis Ababa, (AMECO) — Marking a historic milestone in environmental mobilization, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed launched a massive nationwide campaign to plant 800 million tree seedlings in a single day. This nationwide event marks the eighth consecutive year that the Prime Minister has championed such an ambitious, single-day planting challenge as part of the country’s flagship Green Legacy Initiative.
As millions of citizens mobilized across the country from dawn, Prime Minister Abiy emphasized the profound national significance of the movement, stating that the primary goal of the effort is to ensure Ethiopia flourishes, feeds its people, transforms, grows, and develops. He noted that these aspirations reflect a deep-seated dream shared by many across the nation. Reflecting on the core philosophy driving the mass mobilization, Prime Minister Abiy noted:
“The primary goal of this effort is that Ethiopia must flourish, must eat, must change, must grow, and must develop—this is a desire, a dream, a longing that many Ethiopians share.”
Reflecting on the foundations of sustainable growth, the Prime Minister explained that such grand visions can only be realized when reliable ecological and legal frameworks are established. He stressed that ecological foundations mean actively protecting the soil, water, and mountains, while legal and civic foundations require working collaboratively with the public to establish shared, participatory, and reliable frameworks. Highlighting the necessity of structural stability, he stated:
“Such grand dreams can only be realized if a reliable foundation is laid. Ecological foundation means being able to protect the soil, protect the water, and protect the mountains.”
Highlighting the global dimension of Ethiopia’s environmental trajectory, Prime Minister Abiy pointed out that the country’s consistent efforts have earned international recognition, positioning Ethiopia to host upcoming global climate summits such as COP. He expressed hope that by using the country’s continuous reforestation and nation-building blocks as an example, Ethiopia will successfully demonstrate how a united people can lay a lasting foundation and build a resilient nation. Stressing the power of collective action, the Prime Minister remarked:
“We build Ethiopia throughout the year by anchoring COP. We plant, we clean, we clear, we build—by using Ethiopia as a building block, I hope it will serve as a good demonstration that a united people can lay a foundation, and a united people can build a country.”
Addressing the multifaceted value of the campaign, the Prime Minister described trees as much more than carbon sinks, emphasizing that they serve as food, shade, beauty, and vital sentinels guarding against environmental degradation and soil erosion. He framed the environmental labor as an act of intergenerational devotion, noting that every action is undertaken with the thought of leaving meaningful reminders, milestones, and a hopeful legacy for children, observing:
“Trees have no meaning for today, but for tomorrow their meaning is immense: it is food, it is shade, it is beauty, and beyond that, it is a guard and a sentinel for our eroding and disappearing wealth.”
Calling on the public to maintain their momentum, Prime Minister Abiy stated that he has full faith that citizens will fulfill their commitments through continuous planting. He urged all citizens to stay strong, keep nurturing hope, and build upon the collective victories achieved through unity, directly appealing to the nation:
“In these remaining days, I call upon my beloved fellow citizens to make the necessary preparations, rise with determination, and ensure the victory we will achieve in our unity”.
