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The United Nations and Ethiopia have urged the upcoming Africa Climate Summit to deliver a strong signal ahead of November’s COP30 in Brazil, stressing that the global conference must produce concrete outcomes for African nations.

In a joint statement released during Africa Climate Summit Week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Fitsum Assefa, and UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said Africa stands ready to “supercharge climate action” but needs the right support.

“No continent holds greater potential than Africa for climate action that transforms lives and economies,” the statement noted, citing the continent’s youthful population, vast natural resources, and unparalleled renewable energy potential.

Despite these advantages, the leaders warned that Africa has yet to realize its full potential. Global clean energy investments hit $2 trillion last year, but only a fraction reached African nations.

The joint statement pointed to past UN climate summits that delivered frameworks benefiting developing nations but emphasized that COP30 must translate agreements into tangible results.

“Ambitious outcomes are needed, outcomes that convert agreements into results on the ground, and scalable solutions that drive a new era of implementation,” the leaders said.

Ethiopia Bids for COP32

Alongside the joint call, Ethiopia announced its bid to host COP32 in 2027. President Taye Atske-Selassie said the country had the facilities, connectivity, and diplomatic standing to host the summit hence deserves consideration for the fete.

Addis Ababa already serves as a diplomatic hub, hosting the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, with the country renowned as an African city center, as it hosts major continental offices.

Africa Climate Summit Week Highlights

Africa Climate Week drew delegates from 119 countries, NGOs, investors, and international organizations. More than 40 initiatives were showcased, from mini-grids powering communities and recycling projects in Nairobi’s Kibera settlement, to green bonds in Morocco and digital climate platforms.

UN Climate Change Deputy Executive Secretary Noura Hamladji said the focus was on turning pledges into action without delay to save the most vulnerable communities on the frontline of climate shocks.

“We’ve heard from innovators of climate action that is profitable, scalable, and irreversible,” she said.

The event also advanced negotiations on climate adaptation, finance pathways, and just transition ahead of COP30.

Closing the Africa Climate Summit week, Ethiopian Minister Dr. Fitsum Assefa stressed Addis Ababa’s role as a hub for Global South dialogue.

“This Climate Week is not just an event. It is a bridge between negotiation and implementation,” she said.

The message from Addis Ababa was clear: Africa has the ideas and ambition to lead, but the world must ensure COP30 delivers the tools and financing to make it happen.