Mali Launches 32nd National Reforestation Campaign with Youth Focus and Ambitious Tree-Planting Targets
On Saturday, July 25, 2026, Mali officially kicked off the 32nd edition of its National Reforestation Campaign at the Palais des Pionniers. The ceremony was presided over by Prime Minister and Head of Government, Major General Abdoulaye Maïga, acting on behalf of President of the Transition and Head of State, General of the Army Assimi Goïta.
The campaign, which runs under the theme “Youth at the heart of environmental citizenship for a greener and more resilient Mali,” underscores the government’s stated commitment to making environmental protection a national priority, in coordination with technical and financial partners in the environmental sector.
2025 Planting Figures and 2026 Goals
During the launch, Minister of Environment, Sanitation, and Sustainable Development, Doumbia Mariam Tangara, provided key data on the country’s reforestation efforts. According to her remarks, 1,244,164 trees were planted in 2025. The government has set a target of exceeding 20 million trees planted by the end of the current year.
Minister Tangara also symbolically handed over seedlings to representatives of umbrella organizations, traditional and religious authorities, civil society organizations, and the private sector, signaling a broad-based approach to the campaign.
Prime Minister’s Remarks and Call to Action
After planting the first tree of the campaign, Prime Minister Maïga framed his remarks within the broader vision attributed to President Goïta: building a sovereign, resilient, and responsible Mali where economic development is grounded in the sustainable management of natural resources.
Referring to the campaign’s slogan, “One tree for each person, a green Mali for all,” the Prime Minister called on the population to turn that slogan into reality. He emphasized that the challenge of re-greening and reforesting Mali is not limited to planting alone. “This challenge is not limited to planting; it also involves maintenance,” he concluded.
Context and Significance
The launch takes place against the backdrop of Mali’s Sahelian environment, where land degradation and desertification pose direct threats to livelihoods and stability. Officials at the event framed the reforestation effort as a matter of security and development, noting that protecting the land means protecting the people, restoring ecosystems strengthens conditions for peace, and preserving natural resources consolidates the foundations of development.
The 32nd edition places particular emphasis on youth engagement, reflecting a strategic choice to involve younger generations in long-term environmental stewardship. The campaign’s success will depend not only on the number of trees planted but also on the sustained care required to ensure their survival.
As of July 26, 2026, the campaign is now underway, with the government and its partners mobilizing resources to meet the ambitious 20-million-tree target by year’s end.
