President Taye Atske Selassie closed the Second Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, drawing thousands of delegates as Ethiopia prepares to host the 2027 United Nations Climate Change Conference and advocates for massive renewable energy investments across the continent.
The Second Africa Climate Summit concluded at the Addis International Convention Center, bringing together over 25,000 delegates to map out the continent’s climate strategy. The multi-day gathering featured 23 pavilions hosting interactive debates and more than 43 private sector exhibitions focused on low-carbon development and green growth. Heads of state, ministers, youth representatives, farmers, and civil society members converged on the Ethiopian capital to address urgent energy deficits and formulate unified negotiating positions ahead of international climate talks.
President Taye Atske Selassie and African Leaders Issue Addis Climate Finance Demands
Closing the high-level meeting, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia President Taye Atske Selassie officially closed the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), praising participants for their dedication. The summit served as a platform for African leaders to assert continental agency in shaping global environmental policy.
Leaders used the gathering to articulate firm positions on international financial support and carbon markets. Officials stressed that funding requests represent necessary investments in global equity rather than charitable appeals. Discussions emphasized that carbon trading mechanisms must deliver sustainable development benefits directly to local populations rather than facilitating resource extraction.
We sent a clear and united message ahead of COP30: Africa’s climate finance demands are not charity appeals. It is a call for equity, for justice, and shared global responsibility. We reaffirmed carbon markets as a tool for sustainable development, not exploitation.
President Taye Atske Selassie, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, via Au
Energy Gaps and Green Growth Priorities Highlighted in Addis Ababa
A central theme throughout the Addis Ababa meetings was the glaring disparity in electricity access across the continent. President Taye drew attention to the reality that more than 600 million people live without power, framing this deficit as an injustice that requires immediate international attention and massive capital deployment toward renewable generation.
Our vision is clear: we are committed to forging a prosperous, resilient and green continent, and central to this vision is the urgent mission to unlock our vast renewable energy potential. It is an injustice that more than 600 million Africans still live without access to electricity on this continent. This is a huge energy generation and supply gap. Our climate action, therefore, should begin with massive investments in renewable energy and a call for climate justice.
President Taye Atske Selassie, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, via Au
Beyond broad energy objectives, international bodies pointed to Ethiopia’s domestic environmental policies as a tangible model for other developing nations. UN-Habitat Regional Office for Africa Director Oumar Sylla highlighted the host country’s domestic strategies, including clean cooking initiatives, cleaner energy for vehicles, and urban green corridors, as practical templates for municipal leaders across the region.
we can only commend the leadership of Ethiopia on those measures to curb emissions in the country, from clean cooking to cleaner energy for vehicles, all those green corridor as well with the goal of planting millions of trees in Ethiopia.
Director Oumar Sylla, UN-Habitat Regional Office for Africa, via Allafrica
As part of its long-term environmental strategy, Ethiopia has planted over 56 billion tree seedlings since the launching of the Green Legacy Initiative in 2019. UN-Habitat officials urged mayors and urban development ministers across Africa to study these practices and adapt them to their own municipal frameworks.
Ethiopia Prepares to Host the 2027 United Nations Climate Change Conference
Attention now shifts toward future international negotiations as the 2027 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) approaches. UN-Habitat representatives expressed strong enthusiasm for the upcoming summit, noting that hosting the event gives African nations a key opportunity to coordinate urban adaptation strategies and press for enhanced climate resilience funding.
We are all excited seeing Ethiopia hosting one of the most critical and most important COP in the human story.
Director Oumar Sylla, UN-Habitat Regional Office for Africa, via Allafrica
Organizers and municipal leaders are working alongside the Addis Ababa city administration to integrate urban development priorities into preparatory agendas. UN-Habitat confirmed ongoing engagement with conference presidencies to ensure that rapid urbanization and municipal resilience remain central pillars of forthcoming international climate commitments.
This COP happening in Africa, in Ethiopia, is a real opportunity for Africa to be more vocal, but also at the same time to build the solidarity we need.
Director Oumar Sylla, UN-Habitat Regional Office for Africa, via Allafrica
Such collaboration aims to ensure that the continent’s unique urban challenges are effectively addressed through unified action and stronger regional partnerships during the upcoming climate negotiations.