Ethiopia Reaffirms Climate Commitment, Highlights 56 Billion Seedlings

What changed

Ethiopia has reaffirmed its forest and climate commitments at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, while highlighting more than 56 billion seedlings planted through its Green Legacy Initiative since 2019.

National Strategy Minister Bereket Fesehatsion said Ethiopia wants stronger international investment and cooperation to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. The country will host COP32 in Addis Ababa in November 2027, putting forest restoration at the centre of its climate diplomacy.

Why it matters

Ethiopia is turning a planting campaign into a diplomatic priority. The government links forests not only to climate resilience, but also to biodiversity, livelihoods and green jobs. That gives its COP32 role a practical focus: attract the money and partnerships needed to restore forest landscapes, rather than treating restoration as a slogan on the conference agenda.

The key test is conversion. More than 56 billion seedlings is a striking headline, but the available account does not establish survival rates, restored land area, independently verified emissions gains or new funding. Ethiopia’s influence at COP32 will therefore depend on whether its call for cooperation produces measurable restoration and investment before the 2030 deadline.