**Pakistan and Ethiopia Collaborate on Climate Action as Ministers Launch Plantation Drive**
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, has emphasized the importance of justice in climate action during his participation as Chief Guest at a plantation drive organized by the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad. The event, led by Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula, supports Ethiopia’s ambitious Green Legacy Programme and signals increased cooperation between Pakistan and Ethiopia on climate initiatives.
The plantation drive is part of Ethiopia’s flagship campaign to plant 700 million trees globally in an effort to restore ecosystems and curb carbon emissions. Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula highlighted how the Green Legacy Programme has contributed to ecological restoration and the reduction of greenhouse gases in Ethiopia. He reiterated that Pakistan is a vital partner in the shared global fight against climate change and extended an invitation to Dr. Malik for the upcoming Africa Climate Summit to be hosted in Ethiopia.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Musadik Malik underscored that climate action is rooted in the principle of justice, warning that environmental harm constitutes a grave injustice with lasting consequences. He urged for vigorous corrective action to prevent the planet from reaching a point of irreversible damage.
Reflecting on the long-term impact of environmental degradation, Dr. Malik lamented that continued damage to the climate could rob future generations of natural wonders, such as fireflies and star-filled skies. He stressed the importance of safeguarding these gifts for children to come.
In a significant announcement, Dr. Malik revealed that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination will launch a nationwide plantation campaign in August, offering free saplings to the public in a bid to restore local ecosystems and bolster Pakistan’s climate resilience.
The minister praised Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative as an inspiring example of endurance and effective environmental stewardship, suggesting that Pakistan could benefit from adopting elements of Ethiopia’s approach to afforestation.
Concluding the event, both the Pakistani and Ethiopian representatives reaffirmed their commitment to environmental restoration, large-scale tree plantation, and greater collaboration on climate initiatives to secure a sustainable and just future for all.
