Ethiopia will host the United Nations COP32 climate summit in 2027, the government announced on Tuesday, securing the role after fending off a rival bid from Nigeria. The decision positions Ethiopia to play a central role in shaping the global climate agenda and outcomes of the high-profile event.
At a plenary session of this year’s COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil, Ethiopia confirmed that it had been formally endorsed by fellow African nations to host the 2027 conference in its capital, Addis Ababa.
“We are deeply grateful for the trust and confidence bestowed on the Ethiopian people and government,” said Ethiopia’s ambassador to Brazil, Leulseged Tadese Abebe. “COP32 will play a major role in guiding climate action in this critical decade.”
COP summits rotate among global regions, and host nations assume the presidency of the event a role that allows them to set key goals, highlight domestic climate priorities, and mediate disputes during negotiations.
Although the decision for 2027 still requires formal adoption, officials said it is largely considered a formality following the African group’s endorsement.
Meanwhile, the choice of host for next year’s COP31 remains unresolved, with both Australia and Turkey competing for the slot under the “Western Europe and Others” regional group. The impasse has persisted for months, with neither country backing down.
Australia has made its bid in partnership with Pacific Island nations, some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions. Diplomatic officials have urged the group to reach an agreement soon, warning that if no consensus is reached, the conference will default to Bonn, Germany, where the U.N. climate agency is headquartered.
“We would have to, but we do not want to,” German State Secretary for the Environment Jochen Flasbarth told reporters.
