Addis Ababa, October 24, 2025 (FMC) – President Taye Atske-Selassie has reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to sustainable development, regional cooperation, and climate leadership, emphasizing that the country’s flagship initiatives — the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the Green Legacy Initiative — reflect Ethiopia’s vision of shared prosperity and African leadership.
Speaking to Diplomatic World Magazine during his recent visit to Brussels for the Global Gateway Forum held from 9–10 October 2025, President Taye highlighted Ethiopia’s growing cooperation with the European Union under the Global Gateway framework, the transformative impact of the GERD, and the global significance of the Green Legacy Initiative.
President Taye described the EU–Ethiopia partnership as “enduring and multi-faceted,” built on five decades of mutual trust and shared development priorities. “The Global Gateway is not merely a funding mechanism but a strategic platform to catalyse mutually beneficial investment in Africa,” he stated.
He noted that the initiative aligns with Ethiopia’s national priorities, including green growth, digital transformation, and agricultural modernisation. Following his meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on October 8, the signing of the Global Gateway partnership commitment marked a new milestone in Ethiopia–EU relations, scaling up their 2016 Strategic Engagement and charting a clear path for future cooperation.
“This renewed partnership connects Ethiopia to regional and global investment packages while strengthening our infrastructure, institutional capacity, and people-centered development,” President Taye emphasized.
Turning to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the President underscored its historic and regional significance. “The GERD is more than an infrastructure project; it is a source of immense hope and a catalyst for transforming one of the most persistent development challenges in our history,” he said.
With an installed capacity of 5,150 megawatts, the GERD will double Ethiopia’s electricity generation capacity, drive industrialisation, and position the country as a regional energy hub. “Ethiopia is not merely generating power for itself; we are harnessing a resource for collective progress,” he explained, noting that electricity exports already extend to Djibouti, Kenya, and Sudan, with further plans to connect Tanzania.
President Taye reiterated that the GERD is a project for shared prosperity, providing benefits such as flood control, reduced evaporation, and improved irrigation potential for downstream countries. He added that it contributes to green industrialisation and supports Ethiopia’s Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) Strategy by reducing carbon emissions.
He also welcomed the recent entry into force of the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) for the Nile River, describing it as “a crucial step toward establishing the Nile River Basin Commission,” which will promote joint management, equitable use, and sustainable cooperation among Nile Basin countries.
Discussing the Green Legacy Initiative (GLI), President Taye said the program demonstrates Ethiopia’s leadership in environmental protection and food sovereignty. “The GLI is our proactive national response to climate change — a comprehensive effort to restore ecosystems, drive afforestation, and safeguard our natural heritage,” he noted.
Launched in 2019 under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the initiative has seen citizens plant over 48 billion seedlings across the country, increasing forest coverage from 3.4 percent in the 1990s to 23.6 percent by 2023. “The benefits are already visible — restored water sources, improved soil fertility, and enhanced carbon sequestration,” the President said.
He added that the Green Legacy Initiative is not only about reforestation but also about empowering communities. “By including fruit-bearing and high-value species such as coffee, avocado, and papaya, the initiative strengthens local food systems, enhances nutritional security, and creates economic opportunities,” he explained.
President Taye concluded that Ethiopia’s commitment to green transformation and sustainable partnerships stands as a model for Africa’s development. “The Green Legacy Initiative stands as a powerful inspiration for what is possible when a nation mobilises for a common and sustainable purpose,” he affirmed.