By: Goshu Melisew
As the host nation for the second African Climate Summit, Ethiopia is set to take a leading role in amplifying the continent’s unified call for equitable climate finance. The high-level gathering, scheduled for September 8–10 at the Addis Ababa Convention Center, will bring together heads of state, policymakers, and climate experts from across the globe.
A Unified Voice for a Vulnerable Continent
With over 25,000 participants expected. The ministry of planning and Development underscored the nation's readiness to welcome delegates and champion Africa's climate agenda. Seyoum Mekonnen, the state minister for the Minister of Planning and Development, highlighted the urgency of the moment. "Compared to other regions, Africa bears the greatest burden of climate change, yet receives the least support," he stated, underscoring that global financial commitments have fallen short of promised levels.
The summit will serve as a crucial platform for the continent to demand stronger financing mechanisms to build climate resilience. According to Abbas Mohammed, CEO of Environment and Climate Change Policy, Strategy, and Analysis at the Ministry of Planning and Development, Africa will speak with a single voice, advocating for home-grown solutions.
Abas Mohammed revealed the stark reality of the climate finance gap, noting that under the Paris Agreement, Africa requires an estimated $3 trillion by 2030. To date, only $30 billion has been mobilized, leaving a massive 80% financing gap of $2.5 trillion. This glaring deficit highlights the critical need for a new approach to climate funding that recognizes Africa’s unique vulnerabilities and needs.
As the host nation, Ethiopia plans to showcase its own climate action initiatives, most notably its ambitious Green Legacy Initiative. Mensur Desie, Strategic Partnerships and Advisory Lead on Climate Change, stressed the importance of strategically engaging with international partners to ensure that national interests are at the forefront of global conversations.
Jointly organized by Ethiopia and the African Union, the summit is poised to be a pivotal moment in the global climate conversation, spotlighting Africa’s unified demand for fair climate finance and innovative solutions to close the widening funding gap.
