Addis Ababa, August 1, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming environmental protection into a deeply rooted national culture through the “Clean Ethiopia: Stewardship to Culture” campaign, celebrated on Friday in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State.
The high-level celebration held in Asosa brought together federal and regional officials, including Benishangul Gumuz Regional State Chief Admibistrator Ashadli Hassen and EPA Director General Lelise Neme, along with zonal administrators, community leaders, civil servants, and youth representatives.
In her address, Lelise Neme emphasized that the campaign is designed to move beyond periodic clean-up events and cultivate a permanent mindset of environmental responsibility among citizens, institutions, and policymakers.
“This initiative is about transforming environmental protection into a lived culture,” she said. “It targets solid waste management, pollution control, and active citizen participation—ensuring that environmental stewardship is integrated into daily life, not treated as an occasional activity.”
She also noted that the campaign aligns with Ethiopia’s broader national environmental strategy and serves as a model for harmonizing policy with grassroots action.
Chief Administrator Ashadli Hassen echoed the EPA’s vision, stressing that environmental health is fundamental to development and generational well-being. He welcomed the collaboration between federal and regional bodies in mobilizing communities toward cleaner and healthier surroundings.
The Asosa event featured strong participation from residents, youth groups, and local institutions, signaling growing public ownership of environmental initiatives and commitment to collective action.