Africa Climate Summits Offer Crucial Chance to Advance Continent’s Priorities: Guterres

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said upcoming international climate gatherings, including the COP32 summit scheduled to be hosted by Ethiopia in 2027, represent a critical opportunity to strengthen Africa’s climate agenda and push for greater global support for the continent.

Speaking on Africa’s climate and development priorities, Guterres said the meetings could help accelerate action on financing, adaptation and sustainable development across African nations, which remain among the most vulnerable to climate change despite contributing minimally to global emissions.

He urged the international community to back African-led climate initiatives and ensure developing economies have access to adequate funding and technology needed for the green transition.

The U.N. chief also called for an end to the exploitation of Africa’s vast natural resources, saying the continent should benefit more from its own wealth through increased industrialization and domestic value-added production.

“This is a crucial opportunity for African countries to diversify their economies and move up global value chains,” Guterres said. “No more exploitation. No more plunder.”

African leaders have repeatedly called for reforms to the global financial system and greater climate financing commitments from developed countries, arguing that the continent faces disproportionate economic and environmental challenges linked to climate change.