Ethiopia Calls for Shift from Climate Commitments to Action Ahead of COP32

Addis Ababa, November 14, 2026 (ENA)— Ethiopia has called for a stronger focus on translating global climate commitments into concrete action through enhanced financing, investment and international partnerships.

Minister of Finance and COP32 Chief Negotiator Fitsum Assefa has also emphasized the need to bridge the gap between climate ambitions and implementation, particularly in developing countries during a series of high-level engagements at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

Speaking at a high-level event on financing the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) through the Climate Promise Forward initiative, she highlighted the importance of integrating climate priorities into national budgets, investment frameworks and financing strategies.

 

She noted that finance ministries have a critical role in translating climate commitments into practical development interventions by aligning climate objectives with national economic priorities and mobilizing the resources required for implementation.

Fitsum further stressed the need to strengthen cooperation among governments, development partners and financial institutions to ensure that climate plans generate investment opportunities and tangible results.

During discussions about advancing the Baku-to-Belém Roadmap, the Minister emphasized the importance of translating global climate finance ambitions into practical support that addresses the financing needs of developing countries.

She highlighted the need for affordable and appropriate financing, stronger institutional capacity and more effective delivery mechanisms to ensure that developing countries can implement their climate commitments.

 

The Minister underscored the importance of international partnerships in closing the gap between climate plans and implementation while exchanging perspectives with global philanthropy leaders at a roundtable hosted at the Ethiopia Pavilion.

Meanwhile, at the launch of the Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE), a COP31 Presidency legacy initiative designed to help countries translate climate commitments into investable projects, Fitsum stressed the importance of connecting national climate and development priorities with financing, investment and technical support.

The initiative has brought together participating countries, the United Nations Development Programme and multilateral development banks to strengthen cooperation and advance the implementation of climate commitments.

 

The engagements reflect Ethiopia's emphasis on connecting climate finance, national development priorities and international partnerships as it prepares to lead the global climate process through the COP32 Presidency.

Through its upcoming presidency, Ethiopia is seeking to advance an implementation-oriented climate agenda that connects global commitments with financing and tangible outcomes on the ground.