Ethiopia bids to host 2027 UN climate summit, rivalling Nigeria
Ethiopia is highlighting Addis Ababa's infrastructure, connectivity and experience in staging international meetings.
Ethiopia has formally declared its intention to host the 2027 United Nations Climate Change conference, COP32, in Addis Ababa, placing itself in direct competition with Nigeria, which has proposed Lagos as the venue.
The annual COP summits bring together nearly 200 nations for negotiations on tackling climate change. Hosting would give Ethiopia a central role in shaping the agenda, particularly on priorities long pushed by African countries such as climate finance for adaptation and clean energy projects.
Ethiopia is highlighting Addis Ababa's infrastructure, connectivity and experience in staging international meetings.
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Similarly, Ethiopia has boosted its environmental credentials in recent years, banning imports of non-electric vehicles last year and aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.
Since 2022, Ethiopia's electricity grid has been powered entirely by renewable sources, though most of its energy supply still comes from biofuels and waste.
Ethiopia's bid coincides with the UN Climate Week and the second Africa Climate Summit currently underway in the city, where governments and institutions are pressing for stronger commitments ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
"We have the capacity, the facilities, the location, the connectivity to host the much-anticipated climate summit," Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie said at a UN event in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
The 54 members of the UN Africa regional group must reach a consensus on which country will host the 2027 edition.
Nigeria, meanwhile, is positioning Lagos as a global hub capable of hosting tens of thousands of delegates. While still dependent on oil revenues, it has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 and is promoting investment in gas as a transition fuel.
Competition to host COP meetings has been intensifying in recent months. Australia and Türkiye are vying for next year's COP31, while Brazil is preparing to host COP30 in Belém, Brazil, later this year.
Organisers say venues are typically chosen more than a year in advance to allow time for logistical preparations.
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