--- title: Ethiopia reaffirms vision for COP32 at the 81st UN General Assembly, calling for action oriented climate diplomacy. date: 2026-09-25T17:50:44Z modified: 2026-09-25T17:50:44Z permalink: "https://350.org/press-release/ethiopia-reaffirms-vision-for-cop32-at-the-81st-un-general-assembly-calling-for-action-oriented-climate-diplomacy/" type: press-release status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 175531934 author: Débora Gastal timestamp: 2026-09-25T17:50:44Z tags: [] --- In his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Taye Atske-Selassie reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to driving climate solutions as the host of the upcoming 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference COP32 scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa in November 2027. Addressing world leaders President Atske outlined Ethiopia’s strategic vision for COP32, positioning the summit as a pivotal platform to bridge global pledges with tangible execution. He emphasized that COP32 will elevate African and the global south priorities focusing on climate finance delivery, green investment, land restoration and climate adaptation. President Atsake – Selassie extended a global invitation to governments, private sector leaders and international institutions to assemble in Addis Ababa. COP32 will focus on turning global climate commitments into actionable delivery. Africa faces an agonizing climate paradox, holding over 60% of the world’s best Renewable Energy resources, yet the continent receives only 3% of the global energy investment, according to Energy Transition Africa. Starved of affordable transition capital and with immediate debt and poverty pressure several African countries are turning to fossil fuel projects such as the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) to generate revenue. However this surge in oil and gas projects arrives as Africa bears the brunt of the climate crisis – enduring escalating climate events. Showcasing proven green solutions, the president pointed to national benchmarks including the Green Legacy Initiative that has planted over 56million trees. He also reiterated that climate resilience requires reform of global financial and security institutions urging fairer representation for African in international decision making bodies and accelerated debt relief initiatives to unlock climate action capital. _“COP32 will be a platform where the world converges not just to deliberate, but to execute. Ethiopia stands ready to welcome the global community to Addis Ababa to champion sustainable development, green innovation and equitable climate action.”_ – H.E Taye Atske-Selassie, President of the Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, said. Ethiopia’s appointment to host COP32 was endorsed unanimously by the Africa Group of Negotiators, marking a major milestone and bringing the summit back to the African continent after five years – shifting the narrative from climate vulnerability to leadership and economic opportunity. Commenting on President Atsake’s speech, [**350.org**](http://350.org) **East Africa’s Programme Manager Rukiya Khamis, said:** _“Ethiopia’s President Atske’s UN address was the leadership East Africa has been waiting for. At a time when other world leaders are backsliding on climate action, Ethiopia carried the torch of climate ambition high. As the next host of the Conference of Parties (COP32), this is exactly the kind of ambitious agenda-setting Africa needs – one that prioritizes a people-centered transition away from fossil fuels. Ethiopia has shown that Africa does not have to follow in the footsteps of polluting leaders. This is what true leadership looks like, and we hope to see this same resolve translate into drastic action that can push governments to end fossil fuel dependence and ensure clean, affordable renewables for all.”_ **For media inquiry:** Contact: Lynn Kamande Email: