Federal House Speakers Highlight Green Legacy Initiative’s Role in Driving Sustainable Development, National Unity

Addis Ababa, August 3, 2026 (FMC) — Speakers of Ethiopia’s two federal houses have praised the Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) for advancing environmental restoration, sustainable economic growth and national unity through collective action.

Speaking during Ethiopia’s nationwide campaign to plant 800 million seedlings in a single day, Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives Tagesse Chafo said the initiative has evolved beyond a tree-planting campaign into a comprehensive national development strategy supporting environmental protection, agricultural transformation and long-term economic progress.

Tagesse said the Green Legacy Initiative, launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed seven years ago, has become a key platform for promoting harmony between society and nature while encouraging citizens to take shared responsibility for protecting the environment.

He noted that the initiative has contributed to expanding forest coverage, improving agricultural productivity and strengthening public participation in environmental conservation efforts.

“The Green Legacy belongs to the people,” Tagesse said, underscoring the role of citizens in sustaining the initiative.

Speaker of the House of Federation Agegnehu Teshager described the Green Legacy Initiative as a national movement that brings Ethiopians together beyond ethnic, religious and political differences.

He said the initiative represents a shared responsibility that connects present and future generations through environmental preservation and has gained international recognition as a model for community-driven climate action.

Agegnehu stressed that the success of the initiative depends not only on planting seedlings but also on ensuring their survival through proper care and protection to achieve lasting environmental benefits.

Both speakers said the Green Legacy Initiative reflects the spirit of Medemer by promoting unity, collective responsibility and joint efforts toward a common national objective.

They called on citizens to continue nurturing planted seedlings to transform them into sustainable forest resources that contribute to climate resilience and ecological restoration.

Millions of Ethiopians participated in this year’s nationwide campaign, reaffirming the country’s commitment to building a greener future, strengthening climate resilience and advancing sustainable development.