Addis Ababa, November 26, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia has appointed its Foreign Minister, Dr. Gedion Timothewos, as President-Designate of the 32nd Conference of the Parties (COP32) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the government announced on Tuesday.
“Following the selection of Ethiopia as host for the 32nd Conference of the Parties (COP32) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Government of Ethiopia is pleased to announce the appointment of Foreign Minister Dr Gedion Timothewos as President-Designate of COP32. In his capacity as President-Designate,” the Office of the Prime Minister said on its social media pages today.
In his role, Gedion will oversee preparations for the conference, coordinating with national agencies, UNFCCC bodies, and international partners to ensure a successful summit, the statement noted.
COP32 will bring together world leaders, policymakers, and climate experts to discuss strategies for addressing global climate challenges.
In its statement, the Ethiopian government expressed gratitude to UNFCCC member states for selecting the country to host the conference, highlighting the appointment as an opportunity to strengthen Ethiopia’s engagement in global climate diplomacy.
“The Government of Ethiopia expresses deep gratitude to all UNFCCC member states for entrusting the country with this responsibility, and looks forward to working closely with the global climate community under Dr Gedion’s stewardship,” the statement reads.
Ethiopia was officially announced as the host of COP32 during the COP30 closing plenary in Belém, Brazil. The summit will take place in Addis Ababa in November 2027, returning the world’s largest annual climate gathering to Africa. Ethiopia highlighted its strong infrastructure, international connectivity, and national climate initiatives, including the Green Legacy reforestation program and renewable energy projects, as it prepares to host over 60,000 delegates from around the world.
Following the endorsement of his country’s bid to host COP32, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently hailed the continent’s unified stance on climate action, noting on social media that Africa spoke with “one voice” at COP 30 in Belém, Brazil.
He expressed gratitude to the African Group of Negotiators for endorsing Ethiopia’s bid to host COP 32 in Addis Ababa in 2027, describing it as a recognition of Ethiopia’s leadership in climate action and its capacity to host major global events. Abiy reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to delivering a robust and inclusive COP 32 that advances collective action against climate change.