Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) stressed that if the national dialogue relies on Ethiopian culture and participants focus exclusively on constructive ideas within the discussion hall, it will lay a firm foundation not just for today, but for decades to come, ensuring lasting peace and national consensus.
He noted that if Ethiopians conduct the discussion voluntarily, joyfully, and with a sense of responsibility—without detaching from the nation's culture, identity, and history—their children will inherit a prosperous and resilient country.
Highlighting the deep-rooted cultural connection to the Warka (sycamore) tree, the Prime Minister explained its social and cultural significance:
"We sit under the Warka for arbitration, we ask for marriage mediation, we learn religious teachings; under the Warka, fathers count genealogies for us, we learn from each other, and we rest under its shade."
However, he pointed out that a trend of cutting down Warka trees has spread in recent years, and corresponding with this, the culture of discussion has decreased. The traditional mutual deference of "you first" has changed into a dangerous practice of "who is better than me!" and "if it's not what I said!".
The Prime Minister explained that the main purpose of the Green Legacy initiative, held under the motto "Let's Plant Hope," goes beyond planting trees; it aims to solidify dialogue, forgiveness, and standing together.
To illustrate the immense value of broad-based collective consultation for nation-building, he shared a deep Tigrinya saying: "Mikhri hade tihit midri, mikhri kilte li'il midri, mikhri seleste zeri midri" (The counsel of one is below the earth—valueless; the counsel of two is above the earth—visible; the counsel of three is a select seed—it sprouts and flourishes).
He recalled that while the U.S. Constitution was prepared through the efforts of 55 wise people and crossed eras, Ethiopia's ongoing dialogue is planned to include the voices of the majority to an even greater extent. Currently, a broad discussion involving 4,000 people has started. This dialogue, which has been conducted for years and will continue, is not easily torn, and aims to lay a strong constitutional and national foundation that will transition to future generations.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the dialogue can only be fruitful if participants gather their hearts and minds in the hall and patiently listen to the other side. Delivering a cautionary message at the start of the conference, he stated:
"A bee that has left its hive does not give honey. To give honey, it needs to stay in the hive. This gathering of 4,000 people can only contribute good things if it gathers its heart and mind in this very hall and listens. If they are taken away at night by social media (Facebook) and external messages that do not understand the context of the discussion, the expected fruit cannot be produced."
In his concluding remarks, PM Abiy entrusted the participants to discuss not only for their neighborhood or faction, but for Ethiopia. He stressed that even though participants are physically in the hall, their thoughts must be intertwined with the desire of the entire country, considering the voices and desires of citizens from the diaspora spanning the U.S. to South Korea, as well as from Badme, Gambella, Gode, Aysaita, and all parts of the country.
