Addis Ababa, June 02, 2022 (Walta) – Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, calls upon partners to sustain Green Legacy in a video speech he made today for Stockholm+50, a conference to celebrate 50 years of global environmental action.
According to the PM, the Stockholm conference was the first conference to make a link between development and the environment. It was also one that placed the issue of poverty at the front and center.
He said that the commemoration of Stockholm+50 represents an open discussion about maintaining a positive relationship with nature.
“This discussion comes at a critical juncture. It comes at a time when we are all dealing with environmental concerns as well as rising inequality, hence, the necessity of working together to achieve a healthy planet for all of us,” said the PM.
“For example, as a global community, we cannot escape the deadly repercussion of a pandemic. This is a key lesson we have learned from the breakout of the COVID 19 pandemic. As a result, we must foster trustworthy ties between state and non-state actors in order to increase solidarity and collaboration” added the PM.
Prime Minister Abiy highlighted the need for collaboration and knowledge sharing in his speech.
“We can do this by rethinking our future together through inclusivity, knowledge, and learning. This is critical if we want a healthy planet for everyone’s sake,” he said.
The PM also underlined the need to prepare for the rising environmental challenges.
“….To that end, it is vital to ensure that adequate means are put in place to strengthen national institutional capacities. It is also important to build the necessary capabilities to comply with international environmental agreements,” said the PM.
“I believe my country is doing its fair share towards ensuring a healthy planet on all fronts. Our Green Legacy Initiative, for example, is an ambitious flagship initiative launched in 2019 aimed at planting more than 20 billion tree seedlings by 2022. By 2021, we proudly managed by planting 18 billion seedlings already. This year, we will exceed our four-year milestone,” added the PM.
According to the Prime Minister, Ethiopian initiatives have already paved the way for collaboration and solidarity in the sub-region.
“….. we have been sharing our green legacy to neighboring countries in the spirit of unity. Now, in the final year of our four-year target, we will surpass the set goal. Are the nations lay foundations for generational wellbeing? We invite all willing partners to join us in sustaining the green legacy journey for generations to come,” concludes the PM.
Stockholm+50 commemorates 50 years of global environmental action. By recognizing the importance of multilateralism in tackling the Earth’s triple planetary crisis – climate, nature, and pollution – the international meeting aims to drive action toward a healthy planet for the prosperity of all.