On 18 July 2025, Ambassador Eshete Tilahun met with Deputy Director-General of DG Environment Mr. Patrick Child to discuss preparation of the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) and the implications of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Ambassador Eshete reaffirmed Ethiopia’s strong commitment to climate action, highlighting national initiatives such as the Green Legacy Initiative, a major environmental campaign focused on enhancing ecological resilience through large-scale tree planting. He explained the legislation to ban the use, manufacture, and distribution of single-use plastic bags and shifting to electric vehicles by banning gas-powered car imports.
He also noted Ethiopia’s leadership role in continental climate efforts, including preparations for the upcoming Africa Climate Summit, to be held in Addis Ababa, from 5 to 7 September 2025 pre-summit and from 8 to 10 September 2025.
During the discussion, Ambassador Eshete stressed that the EUDR could significantly affect small-holder farmers, especially with in the Ethiopian coffee chain, where production is closely tied to forest-based and household-level systems. He emphasized the urgent need for technical support and context-sensitive compliance procedures to ensure smooth implementation.
Mr. Child acknowledged these concerns and reaffirmed that while the EUDR is a legal requirement for all countries, the EU stands ready to provide technical assistance and information to help Ethiopia navigate the transition effectively.
