In a major diplomatic achievement for Africa, Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, has been selected to host the 32nd Conference of the Parties (COP32) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2027.
The decision comes after the African Group of Negotiators unanimously endorsed Ethiopia’s bid during the opening days of the current COP30 summit being held in Belém, Brazil. Ethiopia launched its official bid in September 2025, competing notably with neighboring Nigeria for the honor.
Why This Matters
Africa’s climate voice amplified. Hosting COP32 gives Ethiopia and by extension the African continent a central platform to influence global climate negotiations. Africa is among the regions most impacted by climate change despite contributing relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Ethiopia’s credentials. The country pointed to its growing diplomatic infrastructure, connectivity and prior experience convening climate- and environment-related events, asserting it had the “capacity, facilities, the location, the connectivity” to stage the summit.
Symbolic win for the region. Hosting one of the world’s most consequential climate summits marks a diplomatic and reputational boost for Ethiopia and the continent, signalling a shift toward greater global leadership in climate discussions.