Joint project targets supporting Ethiopia’s Green Legacy initiative

Addis Ababa, August 13, 2020 (FBC) –The Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy (MoWIE) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), today launched a joint project to support Ethiopia’s Green Legacy program.

Dr Seleshi Bekele, Ethiopia’s Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy and Dr. Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of ECA, attended the launching event of the $3.6 million project that will be implemented at Guder, Muger and Jema areas.

Dr Seleshi on the occasion said Green Legacy program would help to combat climate change, attain the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, create jobs, improve productivity and increase volume of surface and ground water.

Dr. Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of ECA, for her part indicated that the project would help to create jobs for the young generation and improve the livelihood of women through facilitating a variety of options.

The project, which was kicked off with the motto, “Nature-based solutions for water resources infrastructure and community resilience in Ethiopia,” has a life span of three years.

The project aims at increasing carbon sequestration by managing planted indigenous and exotic tree species through the Green Legacy initiative and rehabilitating degraded lands through the construction of social and water conservation structures.

Moreover, it targets building resilience of infrastructure, ecosystems and local community by reducing siltation and provision of livelihood options.

At the end of the launching event, Dr Seleshi Bekele and Dr. Vera Songwe, together with other guests planted trees in the premises of ECA.