ISLAMABAD; Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula, the Special Envoy and Ambassador Extraordinary of Ethiopia to Pakistan, has been recognized as the “Ambassador of Margalla Hills National Park” in acknowledgment of his contributions to promoting environmental preservation and sustainability in the park.
The honorary title was conferred by Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, during a meeting held at the CDA Headquarters. The meeting highlighted mutual interests in smart city planning, urban greening, and institutional cooperation between Ethiopia and Pakistan.
Ambassador Dr. Jemal Beker provided an overview of Ethiopia’s transformative “corridor development project” spearheaded by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed. The initiative focuses on enhancing urban infrastructure, mass plantation drives, and riverside beautification aimed at raising the living standards in Ethiopian cities.
In a gesture to deepen bilateral relations, the ambassador proposed establishing a sister city partnership between Addis Ababa and Islamabad, which would foster cultural, commercial, and environmental collaboration.
The ambassador also outlined plans for a tree plantation campaign in Islamabad, led by the Ethiopian Embassy under Ethiopia’s nationwide “Green Legacy Initiative.” He invited the CDA Chairman to join the campaign, emphasizing the shared responsibility to address climate change.
Chairman Randhawa appreciated the Ethiopian ambassador’s proactive role in environmental initiatives, especially those supporting the preservation of Margalla Hills National Park. He also briefed the ambassador on CDA’s ongoing development projects aimed at transforming Islamabad into a smart, inclusive, and eco-friendly capital.
The Chairman welcomed knowledge sharing and expressed interest in learning from Ethiopia’s sustainable urban development practices, including riverfront revitalization and community-driven green projects.
