**Pakistan and Ethiopia Collaborate on Major Tree Plantation Drive for Climate Action**
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, joined the Ethiopian Embassy’s plantation drive in Islamabad as the Chief Guest, underlining a strong commitment to international collaboration in the fight against climate change. The event was organized by the Ethiopian Embassy as part of Ethiopia’s flagship Green Legacy Programme, which seeks to plant 700 million trees worldwide to restore ecosystems and reduce carbon emissions. This initiative will see seedlings planted across Pakistan, contributing to global efforts against environmental degradation.
During the event, Ethiopia’s Special Envoy and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula, briefed participants on the significant progress and impact of the Green Legacy Initiative. He emphasized the importance of united action in combating climate change and highlighted how the programme is facilitating ecological restoration in Ethiopia, while also serving to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Ambassador Abdula also invited Dr. Malik to attend the upcoming Africa Climate Summit in Ethiopia, further highlighting the spirit of global cooperation.
In his keynote address, Dr. Musadik Malik framed climate action as a question of justice, stating that environmental harm constitutes a profound injustice that inevitably elicits a response from nature. He stressed the urgent need for corrective measures to prevent the planet from reaching a point of no return, and spoke about the long-term consequences of environmental neglect. Dr. Malik warned that by damaging the climate, current generations risk depriving future generations of natural wonders, such as fireflies or star-filled skies, undermining their right to a healthy environment.
Looking ahead, Dr. Malik announced plans for a nationwide plantation campaign to be rolled out by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination. The campaign will provide free saplings to the public, aiming to restore critical ecosystems and strengthen resilience to climate impacts across Pakistan.
Dr. Malik also praised Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative as a model of tenacity and foresight, suggesting that Pakistan can draw valuable lessons from Ethiopia’s proactive environmental stewardship. He underscored the vital importance of enduring commitments to afforestation and ecological restoration.
Both Pakistan and Ethiopia reaffirmed their dedication to large-scale plantation efforts, collaborative climate initiatives, and safeguarding a more sustainable and equitable future for coming generations.
