ANKARA / ISTANBUL

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Monday that Türkiye has planted 7.5 billion saplings and seeds over the past 23 years, increasing the country’s forested areas to 23.4 million hectares, now covering 30% of its territory.

Speaking at a National Afforestation Day ceremony in the capital Ankara, Erdogan said the initiative reflects Türkiye’s deep-rooted environmental values and commitment to combating climate change.

“I always say that we are members of a faith that teaches, ‘Even if you know the world will end tomorrow, plant the sapling in your hand’,” Erdogan said, emphasizing that forests are not merely trees but “the breath and source of life” for the nation.

The president underlined that Türkiye continues to take decisive steps toward its 2053 Net Zero Emission target and “Green Development Revolution” vision.

Citing UN data, Erdogan said Türkiye ranked sixth globally in 2020 for expanding forested land and has since climbed to fourth place by 2025. “In terms of annual afforestation area, we have also moved up to third place,” he noted.

He also commemorated 160 forestry workers who lost their lives over the years battling forest fires, including 17 this summer.

Launching a new campaign under the motto “Our Witness is the Soil, Our Signature is the Sapling, Our Love is the Green Homeland,” Erdogan said the government aims to plant at least 550 million saplings this year, with hopes of surpassing 600 million thanks to nationwide participation.

In 2019, Erdogan endorsed a proposal from an environmental activist to designate Nov. 11 National Afforestation Day, a nationwide initiative aimed at fostering environmental consciousness.