Ethiopian Embassy, AIOU Launch Green Legacy Initiative to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

ISLAMABAD: Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Oumer H. Oba and Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood have launched the Ethiopian Green Legacy Initiative at the university premises, marking a new step toward strengthening Ethiopia-Pakistan relations.

The initiative seeks to promote friendship between the two countries through tree plantation and environmental cooperation, with seedlings planted as a symbol of fraternity between the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad and AIOU.

On the occasion, Ambassador Oumer H. Oba held an interactive session with AIOU faculty members and highlighted the importance of the Green Legacy Initiative in addressing climate change, restoring forests, improving food security and supporting a green economy.

The Ethiopian ambassador briefed participants on the historical relations between Ethiopia and Pakistan, while also highlighting Ethiopia’s economic growth, demographic potential, culture and tourism opportunities.

He called for stronger institutional linkages between educational institutions in the two countries to expand cooperation in scientific and vocational education, agricultural research, and faculty and student exchange programmes.

The ambassador also spoke about Ethiopia’s ongoing expansion of its education sector, including the growing number of educational institutions and improvements in literacy, and urged academia to contribute to stronger bilateral relations.

AIOU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood appreciated Ethiopia’s socio-economic development and highlighted the longstanding relations between Ethiopia and Pakistan.

He reaffirmed AIOU’s commitment to promoting educational cooperation with Ethiopian institutions and strengthening academic exchanges between the two countries.

The vice chancellor also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening relations with friendly African countries, including Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian Embassy and AIOU concluded the session with a resolve to maintain the momentum in bilateral relations by establishing institutional linkages between AIOU and educational institutions in Ethiopia.

The initiative is expected to provide opportunities for greater cooperation in education, research, environmental awareness and academic exchanges between the two countries.