The Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA) Punjab, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Embassy Islamabad, hosted the Ethiopia–Pakistan Green Dialogue: Lessons from Ethiopia’s Green Legacy at a local hotel in Lahore, aiming to strengthen South-South cooperation in combating climate change through innovation, technology, and sustainable practices.
The event was graced by Punjab Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Bilal Yasin as chief guest. Other dignitaries included Muddassir Riaz Malik, Secretary Forest, Wildlife & Fisheries Department; Naheed Gul Baloch, DG PHA Punjab; and Zaki Ijaz, Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
A high-level Ethiopian delegation joined the dialogue, alongside a strong Pakistani presence of government officials, diplomats, climate experts, university professors, business leaders, youth, and civil society representatives.
H.E. Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, presided over the dialogue with PHA DG H.E. Mansoor Ahmad. Highlighting Ethiopia’s success under Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s Green Legacy Initiative, the Ambassador said over 41.2 billion seedlings have been planted in Ethiopia, addressing food insecurity, soil erosion, poverty, and unemployment while significantly boosting green cover.
“Pakistan, despite contributing the least to carbon emissions, is among the worst affected by climate change. Ethiopia firmly stands with its brothers and sisters from Pakistan in this global fight,” Dr. Abdula stated, while thanking Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for supporting the initiative.
DG PHA emphasized that the dialogue reflected Punjab’s climate-friendly agenda, aligned with CM Maryam Nawaz’s vision of modernizing the province sustainably. FPCCI Vice President Zaki Aijaz lauded the effort, calling climate change “one of the most pressing issues of our time.”
The dialogue featured Green Legacy Awards, a mass tree plantation ceremony, and a panel discussion where experts presented strategies for ecological restoration, sustainable development, and climate resilience. The session concluded with a vibrant Q&A, with participants pledging to deepen Pakistan–Ethiopia cooperation for a greener future.