Pakistan, Ethiopia pledge climate cooperation to boost green initiatives

Islamabad, Addis Ababa eye stronger urban cooperation through green projects, sister-city proposal

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Ethiopia have agreed to collaborate on green initiatives, focusing on afforestation, sustainability, and youth empowerment.
The agreement emerged during a meeting between Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik and Ethiopian Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdulla in Islamabad on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Ambassador Abdulla presented Ethiopia’s flagship Green Legacy Initiative, a nationwide campaign launched in 2019 to promote environmental stewardship, empower women through sustainable practices, and restore ecosystems through mass tree planting.
The ambassador emphasized that despite their limited role in causing climate change, countries like Pakistan are suffering disproportionately from its effects and require urgent support and collaboration to adapt.
“Global climate action must be inclusive and swift,” said Ambassador Abdulla, adding that Ethiopia is eager to share its experience with Pakistan through technical cooperation and people-centered environmental projects.
Dr. Musadik Malik praised Ethiopia’s green initiatives and expressed keen interest in integrating lessons from the Green Legacy Initiative into Pakistan’s own Green Pakistan Programme.

The two sides explored areas of potential cooperation including knowledge sharing, large-scale afforestation drives, and community-based conservation strategies.
“Our youth can be the driving force behind real, lasting climate action,” said Dr. Malik.
He underscored the need to equip young leaders with tools and platforms to innovate in climate solutions.
He also highlighted recent steps by the Ministry to promote environmental entrepreneurship, such as supporting five Pakistani green startups to showcase their work at the SDG Fair in Seville, Spain.
The Minister also raised concern over the growing food security challenges facing Pakistan, driven by population growth and resource stress.
He stressed the importance of climate-smart agriculture, improved water management, and environmentally responsible farming techniques as part of a broader resilience strategy.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fostering environmental cooperation, exchanging best practices, and advancing joint efforts to tackle the climate crisis.

Islamabad, Addis Ababa eye stronger urban cooperation through green projects, sister-city proposal

Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jemal Beker Abdula, met with Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, on Tuesday to discuss joint initiatives in city planning, environmental conservation, and people-to-people exchanges.
Held at the CDA Headquarters, the meeting focused on enhancing collaboration between the two capitals, with proposals ranging from a shared afforestation campaign to a formal sister-city partnership between Islamabad and Addis Ababa.
Both sides emphasized the importance of urban sustainability and ecological restoration in response to growing climate and infrastructure challenges.
During the meeting, Ambassador Beker suggested Ethiopian participation in Islamabad’s Margalla Hills plantation drive, drawing parallels with Ethiopia’s successful Green Corridor Project in Addis Ababa.
In response, Chairman Randhawa welcomed the initiative and announced that land would be allocated in Islamabad to establish an “Ethiopia–Pakistan Fraternity Park” under the banner of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative.
“Islamabad’s transformation into a green, modern capital city is a shared goal, and Ethiopia’s expertise can add great value to our vision,” said Chairman Randhawa.
He highlighted CDA’s ongoing projects, including the rehabilitation of water channels, development of public eco-parks, and a broader focus on sustainable infrastructure.
The two officials also discussed the potential for institutional collaboration in smart city solutions, riverbank rehabilitation, and urban innovation.
Ambassador Beker expressed Ethiopia’s desire to learn from Pakistan’s experience in capital city governance and lauded CDA’s achievements in making Islamabad one of the most livable and scenic cities in the region.
“CDA’s work under Chairman Randhawa’s leadership is impressive,” Ambassador Beker remarked, adding that Ethiopia is eager to enhance ties in urban development, environmental management, and cultural exchange.
A key highlight of the meeting was the proposal to establish a sister-city relationship between Islamabad and Addis Ababa.
The initiative aims to strengthen diplomatic, cultural, and technical ties between the two nations through sustained cooperation in urban planning and community-led green projects.
Both sides agreed to pursue further engagement through institutional linkages and technical exchanges, signaling a new phase of environmental diplomacy and development-focused collaboration between Ethiopia and Pakistan.