Ethiopia’s COP32 bid has gained full backing from Africa’s climate negotiators, positioning the country to host the 2027 UN climate summit in Addis Ababa

Ethiopia has reaffirmed its readiness to host the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32), after receiving the formal endorsement of the Africa Group of Negotiators (AGN) at the ongoing COP30 in Brazil.

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The approval makes Ethiopia Africa’s consensus candidate to host the 2027 global climate summit, bolstering Addis Ababa’s diplomatic profile after it successfully hosted the second African Climate Summit earlier this year.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday, as reported by The Cable, Ethiopia’s Minister of Planning and Development, Fitsum Assefa, said the AGN’s endorsement reflects continental unity and a rising determination to advance African-led climate ambition.

She described the prospective 2027 summit as “Africa’s moment for global climate leadership”, stressing that COP32 would be especially strategic as it falls at the midpoint of countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

According to her, “COP32 will be a global gathering to address the climate emergency. We assure you it will deliver a robust, meaningful outcome through an inclusive process where all voices are heard.”

Assefa noted that the early endorsement gives Ethiopia a valuable head start in preparing for the high-level meeting.

She confirmed that the government has already started coordinating with the UNFCCC secretariat, negotiating blocs, civil society actors, and local communities on logistics, planning, and technical processes.

She further emphasised Ethiopia’s commitment to working closely with both the COP30 presidency and the incoming COP31 leadership to maintain “coherence, unity and increased ambition” throughout the negotiation cycle.

“Africa stands ready, and Ethiopia is prepared to lead with responsibility, humility, and determination,” she said.

Under the UNFCCC’s regional rotation system, Africa is due to host the 2027 climate talks. While Nigeria had earlier expressed interest in hosting COP32, it did not submit an official bid, leaving Ethiopia as the continent’s sole endorsed candidate.

The host country for COP31 has yet to be finalised, with Turkey and Australia still in contention.

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If confirmed, COP32 would be only the second time an East African country hosts the global climate conference, following Kenya’s hosting of COP12 in 2006. Notably, no West African nation has ever hosted the summit.