Enviro News Asia, Ethiopia – The United Nations and the Government of Ethiopia have jointly urged the upcoming Africa Climate Summit to send a strong global message demanding COP30 deliver significant results for African nations. The call was made through a statement released during Climate Week in Addis Ababa on 4 September 2025, as nations worldwide prepare for the COP30 climate conference scheduled for November in Brazil.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Planning and Development, H.E. Dr. Fitsum Assefa, and UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell emphasized Africa’s readiness to accelerate climate action, highlighting the continent’s unique potential driven by its young population, vast natural resources, and renewable energy opportunities. Despite this potential, they noted that only a small portion of global clean energy investments— which reached $2 trillion last year — has benefited African countries.
The joint statement outlined the necessity for COP30 to produce ambitious and actionable outcomes that translate agreements into tangible results on the ground. This, they argued, would enable scalable climate solutions that not only benefit Africa but also support global economic growth and improved livelihoods for all people.
During the Climate Week events, Ethiopia announced its intention to host the COP32 UN Climate Conference in 2027, stressing the country’s capacity and strategic position to host the summit. The week highlighted over 40 climate initiatives designed to drive implementation and scaling of successful solutions, reinforcing the focus on practical actions rather than solely negotiations.
UN Climate Change Deputy Executive Secretary Noura Hamladji praised Ethiopia’s leadership in hosting and advancing climate dialogue, referencing Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, which has planted over a billion trees as a model for bold climate action.
Throughout the week, workshops and “implementation labs” connected negotiators and real-world application efforts across key COP30 agenda topics such as adaptation, financing, and just transition. Participants included delegates from 119 countries as well as representatives from NGOs, investors, and international organizations.
In summary, the joint statement and Climate Week activities underscore a critical momentum for Africa’s climate agenda, calling for COP30 to deliver results that empower African nations to lead transformative climate action worldwide. (*)
