July 31, 2025 – Addis Ababa, July 31, 2025 — KilaloPress took part in the joint virtual press conference held by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Ethiopian government ahead of the Second African Climate Summit (ACS 2), scheduled for September 8–10, 2025, in Addis Ababa.
This high-level summit, held under the theme “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions and Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development,” is poised to be a pivotal moment in the continent’s fight against climate change. It aims to transform the commitments made during the inaugural Nairobi Summit in 2023 into concrete actions, guided by a pan-African vision.
Opening the conference, African Union Commissioner Mr. Moses Vilakati reminded attendees of the climate injustice facing Africa: “Our continent pollutes the least, but pays the highest price.” He praised Ethiopia’s cooperation in organizing this major event and stressed the need to shift from dialogue to action. Despite an estimated need of $3 trillion by 2030, Africa received only $30 billion in climate financing between 2021 and 2022. According to Mr. Vilakati, “Closing this gap is not optional; it’s an existential necessity.”
Ethiopia, the summit host, showcased its notable progress in climate resilience. State Minister Seyoum Mekonnen highlighted flagship projects such as the Green Legacy Initiative, which has planted over 40 billion trees in six years, increasing the national forest cover from 17.2% to 23.6%. The country has also emerged as a regional leader in renewable energy, e-mobility, and climate-smart agriculture.
However, ACS 2 is not limited to national announcements. It is designed as a pan-African platform to elevate local, proven climate solutions, often led by communities, women, and youth. Mr. Abbas Mohammed, co-chair of the summit’s content committee, emphasized the importance of local voices: “These solutions are not theoretical. They exist, they work, and they deserve funding that matches their impact.”
The summit is expected to welcome over 45 heads of state and government, along with leaders from civil society, the private sector, financial institutions, and young innovators. More than 300 side events are already scheduled, reflecting broad mobilization. A tree-planting campaign will symbolize the collective commitment.
A major focus is the reform of the global financial system. The goal is to secure more equitable climate finance, centered on grants and concessional loans, rather than increasing debt burdens. Africa’s message is clear: financing climate adaptation must not worsen the debt of vulnerable countries. The summit also calls for strong media engagement. “Africa is not just a victim. It is a source of solutions. Tell that story, and tell it well,” Mr. Mekonnen told journalists. A dedicated media center will be set up in Addis Ababa to provide direct access to decision-makers and grassroots initiatives.
In this context, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is expected to play a strategic role. With the Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest, the DRC holds a crucial lever for mitigating climate change. This summit is a chance for the DRC—and for all of Central Africa—to assert their priorities, highlight successes, and underline urgent needs for financing, technology, and capacity building. The 2025 African Climate Summit aims to be a landmark—not just as a diplomatic gathering, but as the moment when Africa asserted its voice, its solutions, and its climate sovereignty.
By KilaloPress
Appreciated your coverage and your message is clear and well told your audience about what was discussed at the media briefing session by the ACS2 conveners.