Ethiopia has set a new world record by planting more than 615 million trees in a single day, surpassing its initial target of 600 million, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced.
The ambitious initiative saw millions of Ethiopians from across the country participate in a mass tree-planting effort that lasted from sunrise to sunset.
Mr Abiy said the campaign had exceeded expectations, with a total of 615.7 million saplings planted by the end of the day. “We have worked relentlessly to restore the prosperity of our land,” he said in a statement.
The prime minister reported that 29.1 million citizens took part in the planting, covering 318.4 hectares of geospatially mapped locations. He added that planting efforts outside the registered database would continue to be reported.
Highlighting the wide-ranging participation, Mr Abiy noted: “Children have planted their hope. Young people have demonstrated their resilience. The elderly have left a legacy.”
The initiative aims to combat deforestation and climate change. Mr Abiy said: “Today, we stand for climate balance, line up against soil degradation, and commit to ensuring food security.”
Environmental experts have welcomed the effort but caution that continued care and monitoring of the saplings will be crucial for long-term success.
The Ethiopian government has not yet provided independent verification of the planting figures. If confirmed, this would surpass previous tree-planting records significantly.
Mr Abiy praised the “incredible solidarity and perseverance” of Ethiopians and thanked leaders, professionals, and media institutions for their roles in the initiative’s success.
“Together, our ambition is to build and sustain a better Ethiopia, and our efforts will continue,” he added.
