Addis Ababa Joins Global Breathe Cities Initiative

Addis Ababa, June 23, 2026 (ENA)__Addis Ababa has officially joined the "Breathe Cities" network, a global initiative that provides financial support for efforts aimed at improving air quality and protecting public health worldwide.

The Ethiopian capital has become one of 16 cities participating in the Bloomberg Philanthropies-backed program, which is implemented in partnership with the Clean Air Fund and C40 Cities to advance cleaner, healthier urban environments and strengthen air-quality policies.

The announcement was confirmed during the ongoing London Climate Action Week, where Addis Ababa’s membership in the Breathe Cities cohort was formally finalized.

 The initiative is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Clean Air Fund, and C40 Cities.

Bloomberg Philanthropies has committed 45 million USD to the program, which works with selected cities across the globe to improve air quality and reduce the health risks associated with pollution.

The investment is aimed at helping major urban centers strengthen air-quality management systems and implement measures that promote healthier living conditions.

Following the announcement, Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie, through her representative, highlighted the significance of the city's participation in the initiative.

She said the program complements Ethiopia’s ongoing urban transformation efforts, including the Corridor Development projects designed to create cleaner, greener, and more livable environments.

 According to the mayor, the partnership will also help expand and strengthen the country’s Green Legacy initiative, bicycle-lane development, and air-quality monitoring infrastructure.

Mayor Adanech further noted that the support provided through the initiative, led by former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, will reinforce the environmental and urban-development efforts already underway in Addis Ababa.

She further emphasized that the program will provide an opportunity for Addis Ababa to share its experiences in air-quality monitoring and improvement with other African and international cities, particularly as Ethiopia prepares to host the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Michael Bloomberg, who also serves as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, said mayors and city leaders remain at the forefront of efforts to improve air quality and protect public health.

In addition to Addis Ababa and Madrid, which joined the initiative this week, participating cities include Accra, Bangkok, Bogotá, Brussels, Jakarta, Johannesburg, London, Mexico