Ethiopia is combating deforestation – leading a campaign to plant 6 billion trees across the state this year. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is leading this campaign, which also forms part of his Green Legacy project to promote eco-tourism and action against climate change effects. The launch of the third cycle of the Green Legacy programme was held on May 18 by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The main message conveyed at the launch by PM Abiy’s was that “Ethiopia is putting the environment at the centre of its development process.”

The new cycle of the Green Legacy is set to begin in May and expected to be furthered until September 2021. This cycle will begin with regions with high rainfalls, whereas preparatory measure will have to be taken in arid areas where rainfall is scarce.

It is the third consecutive year that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has continued his efforts in urging Ethiopians to plant billions of trees. In 2017, as part of the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative, Ethiopia joined more than 20 other African nations in pledging to restore 100 million hectares of land. In 2019, Ethiopia planted more than 353 million trees in 12 hours on Monday, which officials believe is a world record.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s has long emphasised the importance of continuity and completing the campaign he has initiated. PM Ahmed’s goal of the Green Legacy campaign was to plant 20 billion trees by the end of next year [2022]. This year, the Ethiopian government plans to send 1 billion seedlings to neighbouring countries to support reforestation efforts in the Horn of Africa, a region known for its arid climate.

Addis Ababa plans to start with regions with high rainfall. In arid areas where rainfall is scarce or irregular, preparatory measures are being taken to ensure the development of young trees. The Ethiopian government also plans to send one billion trees to neighbouring countries to support reforestation efforts in the Horn of Africa, a region known for its arid climate.