By: Selamawit Chelamo
Addis Ababa City Mayor Adanech Abiebie officially announced that the capital has achieved a historic environmental victory by planting 1.5 million seedlings above its initial target during an intensive, one-day nationwide tree-planting campaign conducted under the unifying theme "Let's Plant Hope!" Speaking from the City Administration headquarters in Addis Ababa, the Mayor reported that this massive civic mobilization formed a vital part of the broader national initiative championed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), which successfully aimed to plant 800 million seedlings across Ethiopia in a single day.
Mayor Adanech highlighted that city residents turned out en masse from early morning with extraordinary enthusiasm, unity, and dedication, transforming an ambitious ecological target into a resounding national triumph. She explained that the city administration provided comprehensive logistical support, distribution hubs, and designated planting sites across all sub-cities, ensuring that the campaign proceeded efficiently and safely. The Mayor commended the overwhelming public participation, stating that when citizens unite behind a shared vision, they successfully create an enduring legacy capable of mitigating urban heat, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing municipal climate resilience.
Emphasizing the broader socio-political implications of the campaign, Mayor Adanech stated that this environmental success should serve as an operational blueprint for all areas of national development. She recommended that the spirit of solidarity, shared responsibility, and inclusive engagement demonstrated during the planting drive be actively integrated into the ongoing National Dialogue process, as well as broader efforts aimed at economic growth, social reconciliation, and democratic progress.
In her official remarks , Mayor Adanech extended her heartfelt gratitude to the residents of Addis Ababa, civil society organizations, and local coordinating teams for their tireless efforts and deep sense of civic ownership. She recommended that local communities and sub-city environmental protection offices maintain continuous care, watering, and monitoring of the newly planted saplings to ensure high survival rates, thereby securing a greener, healthier, and more prosperous capital for future generations.
