Ethiopia set to host UN's 2027 climate summit: Africa Group

Ethiopia is set to host the UN's COP32 climate summit in 2027 after the Africa Group of Negotiators endorsed the move.

"The AGN has endorsed Ethiopia," Richard Muyungi, the group's chair told AFP. The Brazilian presidency of COP30, currently underway in Belem, confirmed the African countries' choice.

This informal decision still needs to be officially adopted by all nations during the conference, which concludes on November 21, but this is expected to be a formality.

"We welcome the announcement of COP32 in Ethiopia and look forward to elevating Africa's climate priorities and leadership," said Rukiya Khamis, Africa senior organiser at the nonprofit 350.org. 

UN climate conferences are organized in rotation among five regional blocs, which must select the host country by consensus within their group. The process can lead to power struggles. 

This year, Brazil was chosen to host COP30 on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean states. Africa's turn is scheduled for 2027, and Ethiopia was chosen over Nigeria as the preferred host country. 

However, obstacles remain for COP31 next year: Australia wants to host it in Adelaide, but Turkey refuses to back down and abandon its bid for Antalya. 

Both countries belong to the "Western Europe and Other States". Negotiations are ongoing, as the decision must be made in Belem. Otherwise COP31 will be held by default at the UN Climate Change headquarters in Bonn, Germany. Such a deadlock would be unprecedented in the history of UN climate conferences.