By: Shegaw Yemataw
The Ministry of Planning and Development has hailed the Second Africa Climate Summit as a resounding success, underscoring its pivotal role in uniting African voices to tackle the escalating climate crisis.
It is to be recalled that the second Africa climate summit was held in Addis Ababa from September 8 to 10, 2025, under the theme: “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions – Financing Africa’s Resilient and Green Development”.
Co-hosted by the Government of Ethiopia and the African Union, the high-level event attracted over 25,000 participants, including African heads of state, policymakers, private sector leaders, youth, and civil society organizations.
In a media briefing, Planning and Development Minister Fitsum Assefa highlighted the adoption of the Addis Ababa Declaration as one of the summit’s key outcomes.
The declaration aims to position Africa at the forefront of the global climate agenda and calls for increased investment in sustainable development across the continent.
Minister Fitsum emphasized that the summit provided a platform to challenge outdated global narratives, showcasing Africa’s concrete climate actions and innovative solutions.
She referenced Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s call for investment over aid, along with proposals for the establishment of an African Climate Innovation Compact and an African Climate Change Facility to mobilize resources and drive homegrown climate initiatives.
Several countries and international organizations have expressed commitment to partner with Africa in financing and advancing climate action, she noted.
The summit also served as an opportunity for Ethiopia to spotlight its climate leadership. Minister Fitsum said that Ethiopia’s green legacy initiative was taken as a leading example of proactive climate action.
Additionally, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) was presented as an African-led solution promoting clean energy and regional cooperation.
Ethiopia’s successful hosting of the summit further reinforced Addis Ababa’s role as a diplomatic and environmental hub. The country has officially expressed interest in hosting UNCOP32 in 2027, Minister Fitsum concluded.
