The African Union (AU) has recognized Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) as a model for climate action across Africa and a source of inspiration for global environmental efforts. The praise came during a joint tree-planting campaign in Addis Ababa’s Yeka Sub-City, organized by the AU Staff Association and the city’s Community Participation and Voluntarism Coordination Commission.
AU Staff Association President Nouhou Thiam commended Ethiopia’s leadership, calling the GLI a “transformative undertaking” executed “in a very perfect way.” He emphasized the urgency of such initiatives, citing increasing climate-related disasters like cyclones and wildfires as reminders of the need to restore ecosystems.
On July 31, 2025, Ethiopia set a new national record by planting 714.7 million seedlings in a single day. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed the achievement, saying, “Once again, Ethiopians have proven that incredible things happen when we come together.”
The effort is part of Ethiopia’s ambitious target to plant 7.5 billion trees this rainy season and a cumulative 54 billion by 2026.
Describing the GLI as a cherished tradition “transforming the country’s landscape, rewriting history, and reshaping the face of the world,” Thiam stressed that tree planting offers long-term environmental and social benefits. He urged governments, communities, and individuals to match planting campaigns with sustained care.
AU staff member John Magok praised Ethiopia’s example for other African nations, particularly South Sudan, in combating deforestation and promoting clean air. Participant Moroesi Putsoa, despite having a broken arm, joined the planting, saying, “This Green Legacy is something we are leaving for our children and future generations.”
Yimer Kebede, Commissioner of Addis Ababa’s Community Participation and Voluntarism Coordination Commission, highlighted the initiative’s cross-border appeal, noting that participants planted avocado and other seedlings as a “gift for future generations.”
The GLI reflects Ethiopia’s commitment to climate resilience, environmental restoration, and sustainable development — a vision the African Union now urges the continent to embrace.
