PM Abiy: COP32 an Opportunity to Demonstrate Ethiopia’s Potential and Africa’s Role in Global Climate Action

Addis Ababa, November 27, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia is set to leverage the 32nd UN Climate Change Conference (COP32) as a pivotal platform to assert itself as a key player in the global fight against climate change, while transforming its rich cultural heritage into a showcase for tourism, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized today.

Addressing the National Steering Committee tasked with preparations for COP32, which will be hosted in Ethiopia in 2027, Prime Minister Abiy underscored the strategic importance of the conference in enhancing the country’s international profile.

“The primary goal of this three-and-a-half-year journey is nation-building. Throughout this process, we must demonstrate consistently that Ethiopia is capable and reliable in managing foundational responsibilities,” he stated.

To support these nation-building efforts, an Infrastructure Committee has been established, charged with overseeing substantial projects requiring significant labor and capital. “I am confident that the construction will be successfully delivered,” the Prime Minister added.

Beyond infrastructure, Prime Minister Abiy highlighted the critical need to elevate Ethiopia’s global image. “Ethiopia is an ancient land rich in heritage, culture, and countless assets. Viewed through a tourism lens, COP32 provides the country with an unparalleled platform to showcase the full spectrum of its capacities to the world,” he said.

He noted that these unique cultural and natural assets will form the backdrop for demonstrating Ethiopia’s comprehensive potential at the conference.

Foreign Affairs Minister Gedion Timothewos echoed this sentiment, noting that COP32 represents a historic opportunity not only for Ethiopia but for the African continent.

“We view this as a national endeavor, and moreover, as a continental initiative that extends benefits far beyond our borders,” he stated.

Highlighting the international scope of COP32, Minister Timothewos emphasized its role in uniting global stakeholders around critical climate challenges. “Ethiopia will host the world at this major conference, and it is imperative that we secure a lasting legacy and benefits that will endure for generations,” he said.

Ethiopia’s preparations aim not merely to host the conference but to position Africa as a proactive leader in climate solutions. “We must ensure that Africa is not seen solely as a victim of climate change, but as a central architect of the solutions,” the Foreign Affairs Minister stressed.

Scheduled for November 2027 in Addis Ababa, COP32 is expected to draw over 60,000 delegates, including government officials, civil society representatives, academics, and private sector leaders.

The government plans to highlight initiatives such as the Green Legacy Initiative to reinforce Ethiopia’s commitment to environmental conservation.

As the nation prepares to welcome the world, COP32 represents more than logistical organization; it embodies a strategic vision to reposition Africa at the vanguard of climate action. The preparations reflect a collective aspiration—not only of Ethiopia but of an entire continent eager to demonstrate its capabilities and leadership in the global climate arena.