Ethiopia plants 800 million trees in one day

ISLAMABAD: Ethiopia set a new global record on August 3, 2026 by planting 800 million trees in a single day, with more than 26 million citizens taking part.

In an article, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Oumer H. Oba said people from all walks of life joined the campaign, part of the Green Legacy Initiative launched by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed in 2019 to fight land degradation and promote a green economy.

Since 2019, Ethiopia has planted over 48 billion seedlings. Forest covers rose from 17.2 percent in 2019 to 23.6 percent in 2023, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Officials report 85 percent seedling survival, with GPS tracking and digital monitoring used to ensure results.

The 2026 target is eight billion trees in one year. The ambassador noted the effort has turned tree planting into a national ritual, aimed at securing a safer future for Ethiopia, Africa and the world.