Ethiopia is poised to host the 2027 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32), marking a significant milestone for Africa’s leadership in global climate action. The announcement was made on the second day of COP30, currently underway in Belem, Brazil, where over 50,000 delegates have gathered.
While the 2027 decision appears all but finalized, the location for the 2026 summit remains uncertain, with Australia and Turkey locked in a stalemate over who will host COP31.
Richard Muyungi, chair of the Africa Group of Negotiators, confirmed that the continent’s representatives have endorsed Ethiopia as their preferred host. “We have endorsed Ethiopia,” Muyungi told AFP, a statement later confirmed by the Brazilian COP30 presidency. Although the final decision must be officially ratified before the conference ends on November 21, it is largely seen as a formality.
Ethiopian Ambassador to Brazil, Leulseged Tadese Abebe, expressed gratitude for the support, saying, “We look forward to welcoming all of you to Addis Ababa for COP32,” adding that preparations were already underway.
As the seat of the African Union, Addis Ababa is no stranger to hosting large-scale international events. Ethiopia’s selection underscores its growing diplomatic influence and environmental commitment under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The country has banned the import of internal combustion engine vehicles and pledged to plant billions of trees in its ongoing reforestation campaign.
However, Ethiopia still faces internal challenges, including lingering tensions following the devastating Tigray conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives between 2020 and 2022.
Meanwhile, the 2026 COP31 summit hangs in the balance. Australia’s bid for Adelaide appears to have stronger backing, but Turkey continues to press its claim for Antalya. If no agreement is reached in Belem, the event will default to the UN Climate Change headquarters in Bonn, Germany an outcome that would be unprecedented in COP history.
