ADDIS ABABA – The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), is gearing up to host the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) from September 8-10, 2025.
The biennial summit will be held under the theme “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development”. The two strategic pillars of the summit are showcasing African-led climate solutions and unlocking climate finance.
According to H.E. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the AUC, Africa needs $3 trillion for its climate goals but received only $30 billion between 2021 and 2022. He says that only 18% of annual mitigation needs and 20% of adaptation needs are funded.
H.E. Seyoum Mekonen, Ethiopia’s State Minister of Planning and Development, referred to ACS2 as “Africa’s moment to lead” and “our COP”. He says that the summit is a platform where “bold ideas meet climate justice”. Mekonen says that Africa is a “continent of solutions” and states that “ACS2 is our chance to show the world that Africa is not waiting, we are leading”.
Mr. Harsan Nyambe, Director, Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the African Union Commission, said that Africa is experiencing increasingly frequent and prolonged extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods. He says that locally tailored, multi-hazard early warning systems are critical for preparedness and adaptation. Nyambe confirmed that the African Union supports member states with these initiatives, and a new AU project on early warning and adaptation will be launched at the summit.
Abas Mohammed, Co-chair of the Content and Program Committee of ACS2, said that the summit is built on scalable climate finance as its foundation and will spotlight homegrown, African-led solutions. He says that the ACS2 will move “beyond declarations to delivery” and push for more accessible grant funding and highly concessional financing for adaptation projects. Mohammed says that a Flagship Report of African-led initiatives and programmes will be a key output of ACS2, showcasing on-the-ground action.
The summit is expected to attract over 45 African Heads of State and will provide the continent’s formal position ahead of COP30. Over 400 side events and 74 pavilion spaces have been registered, and more than 25 formal consultations have been conducted with various stakeholders.
