BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
“The public response to the Green Legacy was overwhelmingly positive and encouraging. We executed the plan accordingly. Dreaming big and aiming high is crucial but sustainability is what breeds excellence. Everyone is actively engaged with enthusiasm as we cultivate the green culture,” Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed said at the closing session of the Ethiopia Green Legacy that has been implemented for the past four consecutive years.
It is true that continuity or sustaining activity is a very difficult task for everyone regardless of age, position, educational background, and so on. Many individuals, governments, institutions, and organizations’plans, and projects interrupt due to the absence of continuity. Nevertheless, the green legacy initiative, which has been applied for the last 4 years, has been implemented sustainably and achieved beyond the intended result.
Viewing the outstanding results achieved in the last project periods, individuals, and organizations admire and advocate the replication of the initiative in other countries. Economic Commission for Africa Director for Technology, Climate Change, and Natural Resources Management Jean-Paul Adam said that Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative needs to be followed by many countries. Because planting tree seedlings as Ethiopia’s Green Legacy program is the best example of a natural solution to tackle climate change.
The plantation scheme is not only a very good example of protecting the environment but also has an impact on people’s lives. Besides, investing in green development can reduce the risk of flooding and improve access to water, hence, the way Ethiopia is doing in planting treeseedlings is also part of the effort of creating economic opportunities for livelihood, he added.
Alhaji Fall, speaking on behalf of Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa at the UNDP, described the initiative as a stepping stone to a better future for Ethiopia. The UNDP plans to share Ethiopia’s experiences with about 10 other countries and make the Initiative Pan- African, he praised Ethiopia for setting the pace in combating climate change and for fostering community resilience.
Taking the significance of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative into account, Djibouti is the first country that applies the initiative and has planted seedlings accorded by the government of Ethiopia as part of the Initiative. So far, Djibouti is utilizing the initiative successfully which could be a model for other African countries.
The initiative is imperative to Ethiopia not to ensure food security by planting edible plants, fruits, and vegetables while it benefits Djibouti to fight the negative impacts of climate change and beautify the capital of Djibouti.
Ethiopian Ambassador to Djibouti Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye presented 62,000 seedlings to the mayor of Djibouti city last week, representatives from the Djibouti Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries resources, and respectable guests.
As part of expanding the country’s Green Legacy initiative to neighboring countries, Ethiopia has managed to deliver 62,000 seedlings to Djibouti in the 3rd time. A quarter of a million trees have been proffered so far, engendering an exemplary green economic integration, he said.
According to Ambassador Berhanu, as its green legacy initiative plan, Ethiopia is ready to support not only neighboring countries but also environmental activities that are enthusiastic and committed to working on agriculture and green economic development through capacity building, scholarships, training, visits, etc. He also stressed the urgent need to establish a network of eco-responsible youth between the two countries to best synergize green economic integration.
In fact, climate change is a regional and global threat that requires collaborative efforts. Hence, Djibouti has taken the Initiative and received tree seedlings for the third time which is imperative to expand and sustain the effort to combat climate change. President Sahle-work Zewde said that efforts will be being made to expand the Green Legacy Initiative program to neighboring countries.
Every year, Ethiopia has prepared tree seedlings for the Initiative. Among others, Djibouti is one of the countries used the Initiative properly and effectively. Accordingly, out of the 50,000 seedlings planned to be given this year, Djibouti received 62,000 seedlings.This will inspire other countries to work closely and sustain efforts to combat climate change.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER 2022
