Ethiopia's Commitment to Climate Action Clear, Undisputed: World Meteorological Organization Describes

Addis Ababa, September 13, 2025 (ENA) - Ethiopia has taken concrete steps for climate action, including its ambitious Green Legacy Initiative and investments in climate action and weather monitoring systems. Assistant Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Thomas Asare commended.

Ethiopia hosted the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) in cooperation with the African Union in Addis Ababa from September 8 to 10, 2025.

The country that has planted over 48 billion trees over the last seven years through its Green Legacy Initiative was highly commended.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Assistant Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Asare urged countries in the Global South to work together on climate adaptation.

He added that the South-South Cooperation has a bigger role to play in climate adaptation, stating, “We all in the Global South face a common phenomenon and our circumstances are probably the same."

He further said, “Therefore, solutions that have emanated from other countries in the Global South become more appropriate to our needs than the Global North based on the environment, the circumstances that we are exposed to, and critical, so  sub-cooperation plays a key role.”

I think Ethiopia's commitment to climate action is undisputed, the Assistant Secretary General emphasized, noting that it has a very top-level commitment from the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and you can see it in action, not by words.

Ethiopia is always willing to share its experiences, he underlined.

He further elaborated that Ethiopia has taken concrete steps for climate action, including its ambitious Green Legacy Initiative, investments in climate action and weather monitoring systems, and a regional school focused on climate science training.

The nation is one of the countries that is really dedicated to watching climate and weather, and it has invested a lot of resources into that, Asare noted, adding this shows how much the country depends on climate science to help make policies and take real action.

Relating to access to climate finance and development undertakings in this regard, he urged developed nations to extend fair support to the Global South, especially countries that are dealing with debt.

Asare stated that for Africa, which contributed less to the climate crisis, it's unfair to say we alone must respond, urging the developed nations to extend support.

He stressed the need for the international community to dedicate finance to debt challenges and climate resilience.

Enhancing South-South cooperation and learning from Ethiopia’s experience in a manner suitable to adjust their own needs, the assistant secretary general emphasized that Ethiopia is open to sharing its knowledge and providing leadership.

 "As a continent, we can team up, learn, and show commitment among ourselves, then ask partners to support us. We contributed less but are highly exposed. Through international cooperation and solidarity, we can tackle this as a global problem because the climate doesn’t recognize borders, "Asare stated.

The African Leaders Addis Ababa Declaration on Climate Change and Call To Action was also officially adopted at the close of ACS2, heralding a historic moment that puts Africa at the forefront of global climate action.