ADDIS ABABA, Nov 12 — Ethiopia has been selected to host the United Nations COP32 Climate Summit in 2027, winning the bid over Nigeria after securing the backing of African nations.
Richard Muyungi, Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), confirmed the decision, saying the group had endorsed Ethiopia during a meeting last week.
“The AGN has endorsed Ethiopia,” Muyungi told AFP, noting that the decision followed regional consultations among member states.
According to a negotiator familiar with the process, Nigeria was eliminated from contention after failing to reconfirm its interest when the issue was raised at the recent AGN meeting.
Brazil’s COP30 presidency has also acknowledged Ethiopia’s selection, though the final confirmation requires formal approval from all participating parties — a step expected to be a procedural formality before the current conference concludes on November 21.
“We are deeply grateful for the trust and confidence bestowed upon the Ethiopian people and government,” said Leulseged Tadese Abebe, Ethiopia’s ambassador to Brazil, during a plenary session at COP30.
“COP32 will play a major role in guiding global climate action during this critical decade.”
A Historic First for the Horn of Africa
The COP summits, which rotate among world regions, require unanimous agreement among regional members to determine the host country. Ethiopia’s selection marks a milestone for East Africa, which last hosted the event in 2006 in Kenya.
Africa has hosted the global climate talks five times:
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Morocco (2001 and 2016)
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Kenya (2006)
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South Africa (2011)
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Egypt (2022)
If Nigeria had won the bid, it would have been the first West African nation to host the landmark environmental gathering.
Meanwhile, the host of COP31 remains undecided, with Turkey and Australia currently vying for the 2026 slot.
Ethiopia’s selection underscores its growing prominence in continental diplomacy and environmental leadership, setting the stage for the Horn of Africa nation to play a central role in shaping global climate dialogue by 2027.
