ISLAMABAD, August 3, 2026: The Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad organized a plantation drive on Monday as Pakistan joined Ethiopia’s historic single-day campaign to plant 800 million seedlings under Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed’s Green Legacy Initiative.
The event, held in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority, brought together diplomats, business leaders, journalists, civil society representatives and environmental advocates.
Organizers said the activity demonstrated Pakistan’s solidarity with Ethiopia’s nationwide reforestation campaign and highlighted the growing cooperation between the two countries on climate resilience and environmental protection.
Pakistan Joins Ethiopia’s 800 Million-Seedling Campaign
Addressing participants, Ethiopian Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Melaw Getachew said the Islamabad plantation drive was organized to support the people of Ethiopia as they pursued the ambitious target of planting 800 million seedlings in a single day.
“The purpose of today’s drive is to stand alongside our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia in their goal of planting 800 million seedlings today,” he said.
Getachew said Ethiopia had already planted more than 48 billion seedlings under the Green Legacy Initiative, describing the programme as a major national effort to restore degraded land, improve climate resilience and promote sustainable development.
He also highlighted Ethiopia’s growing role in international climate diplomacy, including Addis Ababa’s expected hosting of the COP32 climate summit.
Green Legacy Initiative Promotes Climate Resilience
Launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Green Legacy Initiative is aimed at combating deforestation, land degradation and the effects of climate change through large-scale tree plantation and ecosystem restoration.
The programme has mobilized millions of Ethiopians and international partners, becoming one of Africa’s most prominent environmental campaigns.
Speakers at the Islamabad event said climate change required coordinated action across borders, particularly among developing countries facing rising temperatures, water shortages, land degradation and increasingly severe weather events.
Islamabad’s Clean and Green Movement Backs Initiative
Zafar Bakhtawari, chairman of the Clean and Green Movement Islamabad and former president of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, praised Ethiopia’s reforestation efforts and called for stronger international cooperation on environmental protection.
“The Green Legacy Initiative is completely aligned with the shared goals of our own Clean and Green Movement here in Islamabad,” Bakhtawari said.
He said tree plantation campaigns could play an important role in improving urban environments, reducing pollution and building public awareness about climate change.
Participants planted saplings during the ceremony and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting environmental initiatives in Pakistan and beyond.
The event also reflected the expanding relationship between Pakistan and Ethiopia, with both countries increasingly cooperating in areas including climate action, trade, diplomacy and people-to-people engagement.
