Ethiopia is poised to be confirmed as the host of the COP32 climate summit in 2027, marking the first time the East African nation will stage the high-profile United Nations conference on climate change, officials said on Monday.
André Corrêa do Lago, president of this year’s COP30 summit in Belem, Brazil, told Reuters that participating countries had agreed in principle to hold COP32 in Addis Ababa. A formal adoption of the decision is expected on Tuesday.
“I cannot imagine why there would be a problem,” a delegate from an industrialized nation said, signaling broad support for Ethiopia’s bid.
Ethiopia launched its candidacy in September, competing against Nigeria. The Bureau of African Countries later unanimously endorsed Addis Ababa as the continent’s preferred host city, effectively securing Ethiopia’s position.
The decision reflects the rotational system by which COP conferences alternate among global regions. The 2027 summit will thus return the event to Africa, following earlier editions hosted by Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa.
While COP32 appears settled, the choice of host for next year’s COP31 remains unresolved. Both Australia and Turkey are competing to hold the 2026 conference under the “Western Europe and Others” regional group.
Australia has submitted its bid in partnership with the Pacific Island nations, some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable communities, emphasizing the urgency of addressing rising sea levels and extreme weather.
Turkey, meanwhile, has maintained its claim, prolonging the stalemate.
Corrêa do Lago urged the group to resolve the dispute swiftly. “If they cannot reach consensus soon, COP31 would default to Bonn, Germany, where the U.N. climate secretariat is based,” he said.
The expected confirmation of Ethiopia as the COP32 host underscores Africa’s growing role in global climate negotiations, as the continent seeks greater support for adaptation, renewable energy investment, and climate resilience amid rising environmental challenges.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
