Preparations are well underway for Addis Ababa to host the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) under the theme âAccelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africaâs Resilient and Green Developmentâ from September 8 to 10. Organized by Ethiopia and the African Union, the summit will bring together over 45 Heads of State and Government, more than 25,000 delegates, and over 100 speakers. It presents a vital opportunity to redefine Africaâs aspirations for a climate-resilient and prosperous future.
Regarding the summit, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed extended a message to participants, saying, âGuided by Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want and rooted in the principles of multilateralism, ACS2 will highlight proven Africa-led climate solutions and the continentâs bold efforts to re-green its landscapesâlaying the groundwork to effectively address the impacts of climate change and promote greener development. With African leadership at the forefront, we can shape fair, practical, and global climate actions.â He added, âTogether, we strive to foster a harmonized, interconnected, united, climate-resilient, prosperous, and greener Africa. We once again look forward to warmly welcoming you to Addis Ababa.â
Some of the pre-summit preparations include the Ministry of Planning and Development holding discussions with private finance institutions ahead of the 2nd African Climate Summit, urging the private sector to actively contribute. During a pre-summit briefing, State Minister Seyoum Mekonnen called on sector ministries to showcase Ethiopiaâs homegrown climate actions and Africaâs leadership in climate solutions, while Ambassador Hirut Zemene highlighted Africaâs role in securing equitable global partnerships. Over 1,000 Non-State Actors from across Africa also joined a virtual briefing with State Minister Seyoum, emphasizing their vital role in driving inclusive, African-led climate solutions.
The three-day summit, taking place at the Addis International Convention Center, will follow a focused agenda for each day. The first day will cover Nature-Based Solutions, including technology, energy, and resilient infrastructure, spotlighting the power of Africaâs natural ecosystems and its vast renewable energy potential. The second day will focus on climate adaptation and resilience, exploring the interconnected systems shaping Africaâs sustainable future. The third day will concentrate on climate finance and African-led solutions, emphasizing mobilizing climate finance and amplifying African initiatives. The summit will conclude with a closing plenary to adopt declarations and statements.
ACS2 builds on the momentum of the First African Climate Summit held in September 2023 in Kenya, which brought together African leaders, global financiers, and climate experts to advance Africaâs leadership in climate action. Key achievements from that summit included the launch of the African Climate Momentum initiative, the mobilization of over $20 billion in pledges for green growth and climate adaptation, and the adoption of the Nairobi Declaration, calling for increased investment in Africaâs renewable energy and carbon markets, among other priorities.
The upcoming summit in Addis Ababa is expected to deliver high-level outcomes. It is a pivotal moment for Africa to reshape its role in the global climate finance landscape, not only for the continent but for the world. The summit offers an opportunity for African leaders to issue the Addis Ababa Declaration on Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africaâs Resilient and Green Development. Among its goals are positioning Africa as a unified force to influence the outcomes of COP30, the G20, and the UN General Assembly; driving reforms to scale up grant-based climate finance; showcasing African-led climate solutions with global potential; strengthening national and local systems to manage and deliver climate finance; and building strategic partnerships to support a just transition and climate justice across the continent.
These goals will be reflected through key outputs, including the adoption of the African Leaders Addis Ababa Declaration on Accelerating Climate Action and Finance for Africaâs Green Future and a Call to Action; the launch of a flagship report on initiatives and strategic partnerships at national, regional, continental, and global levels; mobilization of green investment commitments, with multi-billion-dollar projects showcased across various sectors; announcements on progress regarding major ongoing continental and international climate initiatives; and a clear roadmap for implementing the summitâs declarations, announcements, and investment commitments.