Upon addressing the 12th Session of the 2026 African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, scheduled for April 28-30, Gatete acknowledged the Ethiopian Government and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for what he described as bold environmental initiatives.

The ECA executive secretary expressed confidence in Addis Ababa’s willingness to host the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32) in November 2027, describing it as a “critical moment” to advance global climate action and multilateral cooperation.

The official noted that Ethiopia is “uniquely prepared” for the task, citing its sustainable development.

He pointed out, as a key example, the Green Legacy Initiative, described as one of the world’s largest reforestation efforts.

Ethiopia has planted more than 48 billion tree seedlings since the strategy was launched in 2019.

He highlighted that the African nation generates more than 95 percent of its electricity from renewable energy, an achievement that stands out amid ongoing global energy crises.

Gatete urged participants to leverage Ethiopia’s leadership as host of the major event to build strong partnerships and accelerate meaningful action on climate and development.

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