Officials at Brazil’s COP30 confirmed on Monday that participating nations have agreed in principle to select Addis Ababa as the host city, with formal adoption expected on Tuesday. Diplomats say no objections are anticipated.
Ethiopia launched its campaign in September, competing with Nigeria for the African nomination. Sources told Reuters that the Bureau of African Countries ultimately endorsed Ethiopia unanimously, reflecting a continent-wide push to elevate African voices on climate justice, adaptation financing and loss-and-damage priorities.
Hosting COP32 would position Addis Ababa—home to the African Union—as the centre of global climate dialogue at a time when African nations are demanding equitable climate finance and highlighting the disproportionate impact of global warming on the continent.
Meanwhile, uncertainty persists over who will host COP31 in 2026. Australia and Turkey are still locked in a diplomatic contest, with Australia’s bid bolstered by backing from Pacific Island states—some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. If negotiations fail to reach consensus, the fallback host would be Bonn, Germany, headquarters of the UNFCCC.
This year’s COP30 is taking place in the Amazonian city of Belém, as climate-exposed regions increasingly push to shape the global conversation.