Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative Receives FAO Award for Sustainable Forest Management

Addis Ababa, October 16, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia has been honored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome for the remarkable success of its Green Legacy Initiative, receiving the award in the category of Sustainable Forest Management and Use.

Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa accepted the award on behalf of Ethiopia during a ceremony at FAO headquarters in Rome.

In her remarks after receiving the award, she highlighted that the initiative, launched in 2019 by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, has grown into a nationwide movement that has mobilized millions of citizens, planted over 48 billion seedlings, and raised Ethiopia’s forest coverage from 17.2% to 23.6% in just four years.

Minister Selamawit described the program as a testament to what collective action and hope can achieve, emphasizing that it is not only an environmental success but also a story of national unity.

She expressed gratitude to FAO for its partnership, noting that the collaboration has strengthened Ethiopia’s commitment to sustainable development.

The Minister invited the international community to witness the country’s forests firsthand, highlighting how the initiative demonstrates the transformative power of bold visions combined with community engagement.

Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative has had a significant impact on the country’s environmental and socio-economic development. Beyond restoring forests and increasing tree coverage, the initiative has created employment opportunities for youth and women in nursery management, tree planting, and ecosystem restoration, while fostering a culture of environmental stewardship among citizens.

In 2025 alone, Ethiopia planted over 7.5 billion indigenous seedlings, surpassing its annual target and reinforcing the country’s reputation as a global leader in large-scale reforestation.

Building on this momentum, the government plans to plant over 54 billion seedlings in the 2026 campaign, continuing to focus on indigenous species, degraded landscapes, and the use of technological tools for mapping and monitoring, ensuring the long-term success of reforestation efforts.

The Green Legacy Initiative continues to serve as a model for sustainable development, showing how coordinated national action can tackle environmental challenges, restore ecosystems, and inspire hope for a greener future in Ethiopia.