- Ethiopia has launched a bid to host the 2027 UN Climate Summit (COP32)
- The capital Addis Ababa is competing with Lagos, Nigeria for the host spot
- Decision will be made by the 54 African countries in the UN regional group
Ethiopia has officially submitted a bid to host the 2027 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32) in Addis Ababa, putting the country in direct competition with Nigeria, which is proposing Lagos as the host city.
The annual Conference of the Parties (COP) brings together nearly 200 nations for two weeks of negotiations focused on addressing global climate change. Each year, a different country hosts the event, with the 2027 summit slated to be held in the Africa regional group, which includes 54 countries. A unanimous decision from the group is required to select the host.
Speaking at a UN event in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie said:
“We have the capacity, the facilities, the location, and the connectivity to host this much-anticipated climate summit.”
Hosting a COP summit gives a country a significant platform to influence global climate policy and promote its own climate priorities. For many African nations, this includes stronger climate finance commitments and better access to funding for clean energy and adaptation projects.
However, hosting also brings increased international scrutiny on a country’s own emissions and environmental policies.
Ethiopia has taken notable steps toward sustainability. It was the first country to ban the import of non-electric vehicles as part of its strategy to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Since 2022, the country’s electricity generation has been sourced entirely from renewable energy, though the broader energy mix still heavily relies on biofuels and waste, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
COP host nations are typically selected over a year in advance to allow time for planning and logistics, as the event draws tens of thousands of delegates.
Meanwhile, preparations for COP30, set to be held in Belem, Brazil, have been marred by soaring accommodation prices, raising concerns among developing countries that they may be priced out of participating.
Australia and Turkey are currently competing to host COP31 in 2026.
