AU congratulates Ethiopia on winning bid to host COP32 in Addis Ababa

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has congratulated Ethiopia on its successful bid to host the 32nd Conference of the Parties (COP32) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

In a statement, Mahmoud declared the selection of Addis Ababa as a "remarkable achievement that reflects Africa's unwavering commitment to climate action and Ethiopia's longstanding leadership in advancing sustainable development on the continent."

The AUC highlighted that Ethiopia, under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, has championed bold climate initiatives, specifically citing its ambitious reforestation efforts and the Green Legacy programme that "continue to inspire action across Africa and beyond."

"Ethiopia has consistently demonstrated its capacity and experience in hosting major international summits, including the successful Africa Climate Summit, high-level global climate and development summits, and continental and regional conferences that benefit from the country's strong institutional foundations and organisational excellence," said Mahmoud.

As home to the African Union Headquarters, the choice of Addis Ababa reaffirms its vital role as one of the world's foremost diplomatic capitals, fostering global cooperation and dialogue on the most pressing issues.

The Chairperson added that the African Union Commission "looks forward to working closely with the Government of Ethiopia, the UNFCCC Secretariat, and all partners to ensure a successful, inclusive, and outcomes-driven COP32 that advances Africa's climate priorities and strengthens global solidarity in the fight against climate change."

In a separate statement, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali acknowledged the unanimous support that secured the bid, thanking the African Group of Negotiators for their endorsement at the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 30) in Belém, Brazil.

He noted that "Africa has spoken with one voice... and the world has listened."

The Prime Minister stressed the honour of the selection, calling it a reflection of confidence in Ethiopia's leadership in climate action and its capacity to host major global events.

"Ethiopia extends its heartfelt gratitude to the African Group of Negotiators for their unanimous endorsement of Ethiopia’s bid to host COP 32 in Addis Ababa in 2027. We are grateful for the opportunity that the Conference of the Parties is giving us to spearhead the collective effort to tackle one of the most daunting challenges faced by humanity. We are honoured to be entrusted by the global community with such an important responsibility," said Abiy.

"This recognition reflects confidence in Ethiopia’s leadership in climate action and its capacity to host major global events."

PM Abiy affirmed Ethiopia's commitment to delivering a robust and meaningful outcome and inclusive COP 32 that advances collective action, championing Africa as a "continent of solutions" and a committed global partner.

Other Topics To Read

• Ethiopia
• Ethiopia
• Abiy Ahmed
• Climate action
• African Union
• Mahmoud Ali Youssouf
• COP32
• AU congratulates Ethiopia on winning bid to host COP32 in Addis Ababa
• Headlines