Harare, (New Ziana)- African ambassadors in Zimbabwe have launched the Diplomatic Green Legacy Tree Planting Initiative to promote environmental conservation and sustainability through collective action and annual tree-planting campaigns.
The initiative aims to foster a culture of environmental protection among Zimbabwean students and communities through annual tree-planting campaigns.
“We are coming together today, as African Ambassadors inspired by the African Union’s tree planting program, which is known as the Great Green Wall Initiative (GGWI) as a flagship program of the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” said James Musoni, the ambassador of Rwanda and the Dean of African Ambassadors.
Deforestation in Africa is a pressing issue, with the continent losing significant portions of its forest cover due to various factors, such as agriculture, which accounts for approximately 75 percent of deforestation in Africa, making it the largest direct cause of forest loss.
The Diplomatic Green Legacy Initiative will kick-start with the Embassy of Ethiopia in Harare leading the first phase by planting over 1,000 trees in collaboration with Zimbabwean authorities and local communities.
“Deforestation and land degradation are issues of concern for most African countries, and we need to stand together to reverse the rate of deforestation and restore our degraded lands.”
This program will be a permanent annual event, with the long-term goal of establishing a Diplomatic Green Legacy Day in Zimbabwe.
“We are looking forward to having a well-established Diplomatic Green Legacy Day in Zimbabwe, observed annually with actions that will significantly contribute to Zimbabwe’s afforestation and climate resilience efforts.”
“This initiative represents a collaborative endeavor, bringing together the African diplomatic community with local stakeholders, environmental organizations, and the youth of this nation,” Ambassador Musoni emphasized.
“Together, we recognize that tree planting is not merely an act of planting a seed in the ground but a vital engagement in the restoration of our ecosystems, the enhancement of biodiversity, and the elevation of our cultural and natural heritage.”
The ambassadors called on all embassies and international organizations to join the initiative. By working together, they can build a greener future for Zimbabwe and the continent.
“It is not merely an act of planting a seed in the ground but a vital engagement in the restoration of our ecosystems, the enhancement of biodiversity, and the elevation of our cultural and natural heritage.”
“Through this initiative, embassies will leave a lasting green footprint in Zimbabwe, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future-friendly environment for generations to come,” Ambassador Musoni said.
New Ziana
