Breakthrough Alliance: Ethiopia and Pakistan Launch Transformative Cooperation on Food Security
Ethiopia and Pakistan have launched a transformative cooperation on food security via a historic Green Legacy Forum to boost sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.
Ethiopia and Pakistan food security cooperation marks a strategic breakthrough in international climate and agricultural diplomacy. On July 24, both nations officially launched their first-ever Green Legacy Forum in Islamabad, creating a milestone platform for knowledge exchange and sustainable development.
Jointly organized by the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad and Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the forum brought together agricultural scientists, students, diplomats, and government officials to discuss how collaborative action can address climate-induced food insecurity.
Why Food Security Is a Shared Priority
Pakistan and Ethiopia are both agro-based economies deeply impacted by climate change, droughts, desertification, and erratic rainfall. Despite being in different regions, both countries face similar climate-induced challenges in ensuring food security for growing populations.
The Global Hunger Index 2024 identifies both nations as vulnerable to food insecurity, underlining the urgency of bilateral cooperation and the integration of climate-smart agricultural strategies.
The First-Ever Green Legacy Forum
At the heart of this historic collaboration is the Green Legacy Forum, which aims to facilitate agricultural innovation, joint research, and mutual learning between Ethiopia and Pakistan.
Held at the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), the forum was attended by Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula, and Pakistan’s Federal Secretary for National Food Security and Research, Amir Mohyuddin.
“Ethiopia and Pakistan are standing together not just to exchange ideas, but to take joint action for climate resilience and food sustainability,” said Dr. Beker.
Ethiopia’s Model: From Crisis to Food Self-Sufficiency
Ambassador Beker shared Ethiopia’s remarkable transformation from a country once reliant on food aid to a near food self-sufficient nation.
Under Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia has implemented two landmark initiatives:
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Green Legacy Initiative: Over 40.5 billion seedlings planted, boosting forest cover from 17% to 23%.
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Yelemat Tirufat (Bounty of the Basket): Enhancing productivity in crops, dairy, poultry, and fishery sectors.
These policies have proven that even climate-vulnerable nations can achieve agricultural resilience with the right leadership, planning, and community mobilization.
Green Legacy Meets Green Pakistan: A Strategic Alignment
Federal Secretary Amir Mohyuddin proposed a twinning strategy that aligns Pakistan’s Green Pakistan initiative with Ethiopia’s Green Legacy. The joint initiative aims to:
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Develop joint research programs on sustainable agriculture
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Promote agroforestry and afforestation strategies
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Share climate-resilient technologies and seed banks
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Strengthen land and water conservation efforts
This synergy sets the foundation for strategic green economic cooperation between the two countries.
Symbolic Launch: Green Legacy Park in Islamabad
As a tangible symbol of growing Ethiopia and Pakistan food security cooperation, the two delegations inaugurated the Green Legacy Park at NARC by planting fruit tree saplings.
The trees not only represent growth and sustainability but also the deepening ties between the people of Ethiopia and Pakistan.
“These trees will grow like our friendship — rooted, fruitful, and resilient,” said Dr. Beker.
Expert Perspectives on Climate and Collaboration
The Director General of NARC, Dr. Muhammad Azam Khan, emphasized the necessity of global scientific collaboration in the face of escalating climate threats.
He noted that joint research and shared innovation will help both nations:
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Enhance food value chains
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Implement low-carbon farming practices
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Boost agriculture-driven economic development
Experts from universities and think tanks called for a long-term bilateral framework that enables youth exchanges, academic fellowships, and innovation grants.
The Road Ahead: Opportunities for Collaboration
Going forward, Ethiopia and Pakistan have outlined the following opportunities for cooperation:
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Establishing a Joint Agricultural Research Desk
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Bilateral Scholarships for Agriculture & Climate Studies
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Joint Climate Action Policy Workshops
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Cross-border Seed Bank Access and Innovation Hubs
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AgriTech Startups and Exchange Programs
These initiatives aim to make the partnership inclusive, scalable, and measurable over the next five years.
Conclusion: A Strategic Step for a Food Secure Future
The Ethiopia and Pakistan food security cooperation is more than just a diplomatic gesture—it is a visionary alliance for food sovereignty, climate adaptation, and sustainable agriculture.
At a time when nations are increasingly going it alone, this partnership stands out as a beacon of multilateralism and a hopeful model for other developing countries.
