Upcoming Africa Climate Summit Expected to Draw Unified Voice, Action: Minister Fitsum

Addis Ababa, September 4, 2025 (ENA) -- Ethiopia's Minister of Planning and Development, Fitsum Assefa, said that the upcoming Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) is expected to adopt the Addis Ababa Declaration, which will unify African voices and strengthen the continent’s climate position at COP30.

The ACS2 aims to redefine Africa’s aspirations for a climate-resilient and prosperous future, will take place in Addis Ababa from September 8–10, 2025.

The summit will be held under the theme “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development.”

Speaking to ENA, Minister of Planning and Development stated that the Addis Ababa Declaration, to be drawn at the end of the summit, will serve as Africa’s common stance at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and also guide the continent’s engagement at the UN General Assembly and the G20 Summit.

“Climate is both a challenge to economies and an opportunity to act. It will bring the African voices together,” she noted.

Beyond the declaration, Fitsum added that the summit will host several side events aimed at bringing stakeholders together, mobilizing finance, and supporting homegrown climate solutions across African communities.

 

For Ethiopia, she underlined that the event carries special significance.

As the diplomatic capital of Africa, Addis Ababa will welcome thousands of participants, showcasing not only Ethiopia’s capacity to host major international conferences but also its tourism potential, Fitsum said.

She cited initiatives such as the Green Legacy Initiative, sustainable cities and communities projects, green energy development, and food system transformation as examples of Ethiopia’s concrete contributions to combating climate change.

The minister further noted that Africa and other developing regions contribute insignificantly to global emissions but bear a disproportionate burden of climate impacts.

In this regard, she stressed that developed countries have a responsibility to support the adaptation and mitigation efforts of Africa.

“Countries are not delivering on their promises,” she said, underscoring the need to push developed nations to honor their commitments.

She called for better and more affordable access to climate finance so that African countries can effectively respond to the climate crisis.