Green Legacy Initiative playing key role in enhancing food security, fostering sustainable growth, Says MoPD Minister

Addis Ababa, August 12, 2024 (FBC) – A High-Level Panel Discussion assessing the Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) and its effectiveness in addressing climate change and restoring ecosystem was recently held in Addis Ababa, attended by senior government officials, scholars, researchers, members of the diplomatic community and representatives from international organizations.

In her opening remarks, Fitsum Assefa (PhD), the Minister of Planning and Development, emphasized the crucial role the GLI has been playing in enhancing food security and fostering sustainable green development in Ethiopia. She noted that the initiative has also significantly expanded the country’s ecotourism potential.

Fitsum highlighted that the GLI is driving national efforts to create green jobs and increase hydroelectric power supply through the promotion of renewable energy sources. The program also offers economic advantages through carbon trading, she added.

Additionally, the GLI supports soil and water conservation while improving the ecosystem, contributing to increased water supply across Africa. This year, under the theme “The Nation that Plants, the Generation that Sustains,” Ethiopia is planting 7.5 billion trees during the rainy season, with significant progress already made toward this goal.

Over the past five years, the GLI has boosted Ethiopia’s forest coverage from 17.2% in 2019 to 23.6% in 2023, Fitsum explained.

Okechukwu Daniel Ogbonnaya, Country Representative for the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), expressed appreciation for the positive outcomes of Ethiopia’s GLI in the global fight against climate change. He affirmed GGGI’s commitment to support Ethiopia in maintaining the initiative and other programs essential for advancing green growth.

Kebede Yimam, Director of Ethiopian Forestry Development, noted that the GLI addresses longstanding environmental challenges effectively while also creating systems to mitigate future risks. He pointed out that the initiative, spearheaded by the Prime Minister, plays a vital role in shaping public awareness and involvement in creating a better country.

Professor Iyasu Elias, State Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture, acknowledged that environmental degradation from improper land use, expansion of human settlements and climate change effects has harmed ecosystems and threatened food security. He commended the GLI’s success in addressing environmental challenges and restoring the country’s natural resources towards agricultural productivity.

In recent campaigns, 40% of the seedlings have been planted in areas undergoing soil and water conservation efforts. According to Professor Iyasu, the Green Legacy Initiative has thus far covered over 32 million hectares, with 28 million hectares located in highland regions.

In her closing remarks, Fitsum called on all stakeholders including partner countries and international organizations to support Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative for mutual benefits.