Addis Ababa to Unite African Cities in Advancing Shared Climate Priorities, Financing Needs and Development Agendas at COP32: Mayor

Addis Ababa, November 10, 2026 (FMC) – Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie has underscored the the Ethiopian capital’s opportunity, as host of COP32, to bring African cities together and provide a common platform for advancing their shared climate priorities, financing needs and development agendas.

The Mayor made the statement following discussions on the sidelines of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, with Professor Anthony Okon Nyong, Director of Climate Change at the African Development Bank, and Anne Hidalgo, Ambassador of the Global Covenant of Mayors and former Mayor of Paris.

The discussions focused on improving cities’ direct access to climate finance, strengthening their capacity to prepare and implement projects, and expanding cooperation through the exchange of experiences and lessons in green development, riverside development, urban regeneration and urban agriculture.

Mayor Adanech emphasized that COP32 offers Addis Ababa a unique opportunity to provide a platform for African cities to present their shared climate priorities, financing needs and development agendas with one strong and unified voice.

She further stressed the importance of strengthening collective engagement to advance the development priorities of African cities, improve access to climate finance and expand technological cooperation.

It is known that Ethiopia is set to host COP32 in Addis Ababa in November 2027.