Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative plays a crucial role in promoting peace, development, and strengthening diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and neighboring countries, according to Mohammed Al-Arousi, Advisor to the Minister of Water and Energy.
Mohammed Al-Arousi emphasized that Ethiopia views the success of national initiatives like the Green Legacy Initiative and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as vital for environmental protection, fostering national consensus, and promoting peace-building efforts.
"We see what we have achieved in terms of peace and the environment we have preserved through such initiatives," Al-Arousi told media.
The advisor stated the initiative seeks to transform the nation and even all of the continent into an Eden on Earth.
In addition, he noted that the GLI is a strong connection linking the people, much like the GERD, adding that it is an important tool for building consensus since it is a national initiative that safeguards against the effects of climate change and ensures self-sufficiency in food.
The advisor emphasized that the initiative's goal is to increase public awareness of the need to safeguard the environment against natural disasters that could endanger people's lives and infrastructure.
Thus, he stressed, Ethiopia's GLI will aid in fostering sustainable development and enhancing soft diplomacy with its neighbors.
In terms of soft diplomacy with its neighbors, the program seeks to improve ties between Ethiopia and these nations while also promoting environmental protection, he stressed. According to him, Ethiopia's neighbors are experiencing environmental disasters that put the lives of Africans and their infrastructure in danger.
According to Mohammed Al-Arousi, the leaders of African countries recognize the significance of Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative and are inspired to emulate its success. They see the initiative as a means to transform their own nations into fertile lands that can provide a decent life for their citizens while promoting environmental sustainability.
Al-Arousi highlighted one of the key benefits of the Green Legacy Initiative, which is the achievement of food self-sufficiency. By undertaking reforestation efforts and combatting issues like desertification and drought, Ethiopia aims to mitigate natural disasters and secure a more stable and sustainable future.
According to the United Nations, the Green Legacy Initiative, which was launched in June 2019, is deeply rooted in Ethiopia's vision of constructing a green and climate-resilient nation. The initiative set an ambitious target of planting 20 billion seedlings within a span of four years.
The UN also stated that the African nation surpassed the goal, successfully planting 25 billion seedlings by the end of the fourth year. This monumental achievement was made possible through the mobilization of over 20 million citizens across the country.
To support the massive reforestation effort, more than 120,000 nurseries were established throughout Ethiopia. This initiative has had a significant socio-economic impact, generating over 767,000 jobs, with a particular focus on empowering women and the youth, the UN notes.