Like Nigeria, Ethiopia announces bid to host COP32 in 2027

Ethiopia has joined Nigeria in expressing interest to host the 32nd United Nations climate change conference of parties in 2027.

The East African country unveiled its bid on Thursday during the climate week held in Addis Ababa, the nation’s capital.

Ethiopian President Taye Atske-Selassie said the country has the capacity, infrastructure, and connectivity to host COP32, positioning Addis Ababa as a hub for climate diplomacy and innovation.

“We have the capacity, the facilities, the location, the connectivity to host the much-anticipated climate summit,”Atske-Selassie said.

Ethiopia’s bid signals the growing interest among African nations to lead global climate discussions, highlighting the continent’s ambition to secure a larger role in shaping climate policy and attracting climate finance.

Hosting a COP event is seen as a way to showcase national climate strategies, renewable energy initiatives, and adaptation projects while boosting international partnerships.

Nigeria, which also expressed an interest in hosting the event, is currently positioning itself as a strategic hub for climate talks in West Africa.

The country previously hosted climate-focused events such as the Nigeria climate change summit and continues to advance renewable energy projects, green financing mechanisms, and climate adaptation programmes.

Ethiopia’s announcement comes ahead of COP30 in Brazil in November, where African nations are expected to push for greater access to climate finance, technology transfer, and support for resilience-building projects on the continent.

Hosting COP32 would allow either Ethiopia or Nigeria to translate these discussions into tangible initiatives that directly benefit African countries.

The decision on which country will host COP32 is expected to be made by the UNFCCC at the conclusion of COP30.

Both nations are ramping up diplomacy to gain support, with their COP32 bids assessed on infrastructure, government backing, diplomatic influence, and ability to host a major global summit.

‘WORLD LEADERS MUST EMPOWER AFRICA FOR CLIMATE ACTION’

A  joint statement by Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and Fitsum Assefa, Ethiopia’s minister of planning, implored global leaders to fully empower Africa for climate action ahead of COP30 in Brazil.

“Africa is ready to supercharge climate action, but COP30 must ensure Africa is fully enabled to do so,” the statement reads.

They highlighted Africa’s vast renewable energy potential, young population, and rich natural resources as a “colossal coiled spring of climate action possibility”.

The statement also warned that despite global clean energy investments hitting $2 trillion last year, only a fraction reaches African nations.

Noura Hamladji, UN climate change deputy executive secretary, said climate week focused on linking international climate processes to everyday life, highlighting initiatives that are “profitable, scalable, and irreversible”.

Mukhtar Babayev, president of COP29 in Azerbaijan, described the event as a key space for addressing Africa’s unique climate challenges and maximising opportunities for effective action.

Climate week, attended by delegates from 119 countries, NGOs and investors, advanced COP30 discussions on adaptation, finance, and just transition, while connecting intergovernmental talks with practical implementation.