Members of the diplomatic community based in Addis Ababa have been briefed on the preparations for the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS 2), scheduled to take place at the Addis International Convention Centre (AICC) from September 8-10, 2025.

In his opening remarks, FM Gedion stated that the Climate Summit is an expression of our collective determination to address the climate crisis that threatens our future. Ethiopia, through the Climate Resilient Green Economy Facility and the Green Legacy Initiative, is significantly contributing to effecting tangible results in combating climate change, he said. He further stated that climate financing, innovative partnerships, and green investments, among others, lead to concrete, actionable results that benefit Africa and the rest of the world. The Summit, in this regard, Gedion added, serves as a critical platform to leverage our collective capacity to address compounded challenges borne out of climate change.

Minister of Planning and Development Fitsum, for her part, provided highlight of the preparations for the historic summit. She stressed the fact that this year’s ACS, unlike its previous variants, will focus on advocating innovative and nature-based solutions while enhancing coordination, accelerating climate action, and amplifying Africa’s priorities on the global stage. The Summit, she noted, particularly addresses the urgent need for robust climate finance, as Africa faces disproportionate climate impacts despite its minimal greenhouse gas contributions. Ethiopia, with its proven commitment through initiatives like the Green Legacy Initiative, demonstrates African-led solutions for a resilient and sustainable future.

The first day focuses on harnessing Africa’s natural capital and technological innovations to drive green growth. The second day emphasises positioning Africa’s ecosystems and clean technologies as pivotal engines for decarbonisation and sustainable development, integrating natural ecosystems with technological advancements to create resilient infrastructure.

Senior Environment and Climate Change Policy Expert, Abas Mohammed, also gave the participants an in-depth presentation on the particulars of the preparations for the Summit.

Themed “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development” and co-hosted by the Ministries of Planning and Development and Foreign Affairs and the African Union Commission, ACS 2 will bring together approximately 25,000 participants thereby creating a definitive platform to galvanize unified action and accelerate the journey towards a prosperous, climate-resilient continent. The Summit will focus on three key thematic areas in deliberations, including,

1. Harnessing Africa’s natural capital and technological innovations to drive green growth.
2. ⁠The urgent need to strengthen Africa’s resilience to climate impacts by integrating scientific knowledge and nature-based approaches
3. Unlocking capital and elevating homegrown innovation