Addis Ababa, September 7, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia is hosting more than 25,000 delegates at the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), a landmark gathering set to reposition Africa not merely as a victim of climate change but as a driver of global solutions.
The summit will culminate in the adoption of the Addis Ababa Declaration, a pivotal document that consolidates Africa’s stance ahead of the COP30 negotiations in Brazil.
Minister of Planning and Development and ACS2 National Coordinator, Fitsum Assefa, voiced strong confidence that the declaration will amplify Africa’s collective influence in international climate diplomacy and secure meaningful outcomes for the continent.
Speaking at a press conference today, Fitsum described the summit as a turning point for Africa’s climate engagement. “This is not just another meeting; it is a defining moment,” she asserted. “The message from Ethiopia, from Africa, and from our partners is clear: Africa may be a victim of climate change, but it is also a source of climate solutions.”
She emphasized that the adoption of the Addis Ababa Declaration represents a decisive step toward unifying Africa’s voice, strengthening its negotiating power, and setting a clear agenda for COP30.
The minister also highlighted the unprecedented scale of the event, which officially opens tomorrow and has drawn heads of state, ministers, youth leaders, and climate experts from across the globe. She noted that Ethiopia’s successful organization of such a high-level gathering underscores the country’s readiness and capability to host global summits of this magnitude.
Outlining her expectations, Fitsum said the summit would not only reposition Africa within the global climate arena but also catalyze the financial and technical support required for the continent’s green, climate-resilient development. She underscored that its most critical outcome will be the consolidation of a unified African vision, articulated through the Addis Ababa Declaration.
Beyond the declaration, ACS2 is expected to issue a forceful call for reform of global climate finance, demanding greater access to concessional and grant-based funding, alongside stronger investment flows tailored to Africa’s unique needs. Developed nations, Fitsum stressed, have a responsibility to ensure equitable climate partnerships and support the continent’s adaptation and mitigation efforts.
“We need global solidarity, fair finance, and genuine partnerships to ensure that Africa’s resilience becomes the world’s resilience,” she stated.
She further pointed to the importance of linking African innovators with global investors, emphasizing that the summit provides a critical platform to showcase Africa-led solutions in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and nature-based resilience. Unlocking financing for these innovations, she said, is key to scaling them globally and realizing the continent’s full climate potential.