Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged world leaders to take decisive and practical steps in addressing the global threat of climate change, warning that the crisis cannot be solved through dialogue alone.
Speaking on Friday in Addis Ababa at the official launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative (GLI), Shettima emphasized that every nation must respond to the unique environmental challenges it faces. He described climate change as a looming danger that demands action, not just words.
“It is a danger we must arrest with practical actions, with each nation rising to the occasion by responding to the peculiarities of the ecological burdens they face,” the Vice President said.
The Green Legacy Initiative, launched by the Ethiopian government, aims to combat deforestation, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate climate change by planting 20 billion tree seedlings over a four-year period. Shettima hailed the initiative as an “inspiring blueprint” for sustainable development and climate resilience, praising Ethiopia’s efforts in establishing over 20,000 nurseries and creating hundreds of thousands of green jobs.
“The promise of GLI is the dream of every nation. It is a lesson in vision, in purpose, and in audacity,” he added.
Shettima, who is on an official visit to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, reiterated Nigeria’s solidarity with Ethiopia and assured of the country’s continued support. He noted that Nigeria and Ethiopia, as Africa’s two most populous countries, have a crucial role to play in the continent’s climate future.
“We are not mere spectators in this fight. We are partners. We are participants. And we are prepared to play our part to keep Africa green,” he affirmed, referencing commitments made at previous UN Climate Change Conferences (COP).
He conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s solidarity and commended the Ethiopian government and people for their hospitality and vision, saying the Green Legacy resonates with Nigeria’s aspirations for a sustainable future.
In his remarks, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called on African nations to adopt the Green Legacy as a cultural movement. He emphasized the importance of reducing dependency on foreign aid by embracing home-grown initiatives, highlighting Ethiopia’s success in launching the 20 billion tree-planting drive without external assistance.
“This year’s Green Legacy is to rise by planting… We never received any aid when we set out to achieve our initiative,” Ahmed said. He thanked Nigeria for its support, expressing confidence that President Tinubu’s leadership would strengthen regional climate cooperation.
He also announced Ethiopia’s preparations to host the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Summit, expressing optimism that the event would mobilize global support for the country’s green revolution efforts.
Earlier, Vice President Shettima toured key landmarks in Addis Ababa, including Unity Park, the Science Museum, and the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, which highlight Ethiopia’s historical and scientific achievements.
