Addis Ababa will host the COP32 climate summit in 2027
Ethiopia won the backing of the African Group to bring the UN climate talks back to Africa.
Key points
- Ethiopia will host COP32, the UN climate change conference, in Addis Ababa in 2027.
- It secured the unanimous backing of the African Group of Negotiators at COP30 in Brazil in November 2025.
- Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos has been named COP32 president-designate; the conference is expected in November 2027.
The world's climate negotiators are coming to Addis Ababa. Ethiopia will host COP32, the United Nations climate change conference, in 2027.
How Ethiopia won it
COP hosting rotates between regions, and 2027 is Africa's turn. Ethiopia secured the unanimous backing of the African Group of Negotiators at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025, after Nigeria stepped back from its own bid. Addis Ababa was presented as the best fit in terms of infrastructure and capacity.
Ethiopia has named Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos as COP32 president-designate. The conference is expected in November 2027; the UN climate body typically confirms exact dates well in advance.
Why Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is already the diplomatic capital of Africa: it is home to the African Union headquarters and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, and it regularly hosts large international summits.
Why it matters
Africa contributes a small share of global emissions but is among the regions hardest hit by climate change. Hosting COP32 gives African countries a chance to push their priorities, including adaptation finance and clean energy access, at the centre of the talks. Programmes such as Mission 300 show how much the continent's energy future depends on investment.
Sources
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