The initiative was launched by Lelise Neme, Director General of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The launch event marked the beginning of a broad campaign aimed at raising public awareness, enforcing environmental regulations, and integrating pollution control into regional development strategies.
“We are not just launching a campaign, we’re launching a commitment,” said Lelise Neme during the event, stressing that sustainable development is impossible without environmental protection being treated as a mainstream issue.
Officials noted that Somali Region, with its growing urban centres and expanding infrastructure, is increasingly vulnerable to unmanaged waste, plastic pollution, and land degradation. By prioritising awareness creation and legal enforcement, the campaign aims to build institutional accountability and public participation in waste management.
The initiative will be rolled out in phases across regional states, focusing on capacity building for local authorities and communities. It forms part of a broader push by the federal government to align Ethiopia’s growth ambitions with climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
"Clean Ethiopia" is also expected to involve schools, youth groups, and private sector actors through coordinated clean-up days and behavioural change campaigns, setting the stage for what officials hope will become a long-term cultural shift towards environmental stewardship.