At COP30 on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Ethiopia was confirmed as the host country for the 32nd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP32) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The long-confirmed “Africa COP” has seen Ethiopia and Nigeria vying for hosting rights, with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abhi Ahmed dubbing Addis Ababa “a global city in climate ambition” during September’s Africa Climate Summit. Ethiopia defeated Nigeria in a closely contested bid.
Observers have welcomed the announcement of Ethiopia as COP32 host and celebrate the opportunity for Africa to take centre stage in advancing climate justice and solutions.
Rukiya Khamis, Africa Senior Organiser at 350.org, says: “We welcome the announcement of COP32 in Ethiopia and look forward to the opportunity to elevate Africa’s climate priorities, solutions and leadership. The world cannot afford to treat climate diplomacy as a political bargaining chip. We call on all parties to resolve the COP31 stalemate to avoid undermining momentum at a pivotal moment for climate action. The Pacific has spoken clearly in support of a COP hosted between Australia and the Pacific, as a matter of respect, dignity and recognition of the frontline realities Pacific communities face.”
The news comes as the decision on COP31 remains at a stalemate. Australia’s bid to co-host COP31 with Pacific nations has been complicated by Turkiye’s continued bid for hosting rights. Pacific nations are supportive of an Australia-Pacific COP31, and in the case of an Australia-Turkiye co-presidency remain adamant that the Albanese government be held accountable for Australia’s position as one of the world’s major fossil fuel exporters and center Pacific demands for climate action in negotiations.
If neither Australia nor Turkiye withdraws, Germany will be forced to host the talks as per the treaty agreement.
Fenton Lutunatabua, 350.org Deputy Head of Regions, says: “We are pleased that Ethiopia has been confirmed as COP32 host, but we need an urgent decision on whether Australia will win its bid to host COP31 with Pacific nations and maintain that an Australia-Pacific COP is necessary to build on the legacy of Pacific climate leadership.
“With COP30 in the Amazon rainforest, it is vital that the world now turns its attention to the oceans, our planet’s other great climate frontier. Our oceans are warming rapidly, with devastating consequences. Sea levels in the Pacific Islands are rising at a rate that is near or twice the global average. As Pacific islanders, we have been instrumental in keeping the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal alive, driving the creation of the Loss and Damage Fund through COP negotiations, and achieving the historic International Court of Justice ruling earlier this year.
“Hosting rights should not be used as political bargaining tools or trophies: these are the largest climate negotiations in the world, and we must remember what their purpose is: to address the most urgent crisis of our time, one that impacts people’s lives and futures. “