Addis Ababa, September 3, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopian President Taye Atske-Selassie today revealed his country’s desire to host the COP32 UN Climate Conference in 2027, citing the nation’s robust green initiatives and strategic location as evidence of its readiness to lead the next chapter in global climate action.
The disclosure, made during the high-level opening of the Second Climate Week in Addis Ababa, positioned the ambition as a testament to Africa’s growing influence in the climate dialogue.
In his address, the president stated that Ethiopia has the “capacity, the facilities, the location, the connectivity” to host the much-anticipated climate summit, which would be the sixth to be held in Africa.
His remarks framed Ethiopia’s aspiration within a broader call for global climate justice, demanding a new financial architecture that empowers African nations to act on climate change without sacrificing their development goals.
The president detailed a series of flagship national initiatives as key credentials for the hosting ambition. He highlighted the Green Legacy Initiative, a massive reforestation program that has already planted over 14.75 billion trees and aims to reach 54 billion by the coming year.
He also cited the Climate-Smart Wheat Initiative, which has transitioned Ethiopia from a net importer to a self-sufficient nation, and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which is set to generate huge amount of renewable power, demonstrating the country’s commitment to clean energy and addressing energy poverty.
President Taye also used the platform to advocate for systemic change, criticizing the “outdated and unfair global financial architecture” and the persistent lack of accessible climate finance as the “most significant obstacle” to progress.
He warned against the historical exploitation of Africa’s critical mineral resources, arguing that climate advocacy must concurrently address these issues of economic justice.
The Second Climate Week, held under the theme “Dialogues for Ambition and Implementation,” serves as a precursor to the upcoming Second Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa.
Both events are designed to unify Africa’s climate agenda and amplify its priorities on the global stage, further reinforcing Ethiopia’s case to lead the continent’s climate efforts.