Ethiopia and Türkiye discuss expanding bilateral cooperation, trade and investment as Ethiopia prepares to host COP32 in 2027 following Türkiye’s COP31 presidency.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have discussed opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation as Ethiopia prepares to assume the presidency of the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32) in 2027. The discussions took place in Antalya, Türkiye, ahead of the COP31 Leaders’ Summit hosted by Türkiye.
During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed their existing partnership and explored ways to advance cooperation across areas of shared interest. The discussions also covered regional developments and the importance of maintaining diplomatic engagement to address common challenges.
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Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Antalya ahead of the COP31 Leaders’ Summit and congratulated President Erdoğan on Türkiye’s preparations to host the international climate conference. The meeting provided an opportunity for both countries to discuss their respective roles in the upcoming climate negotiations, with Türkiye hosting COP31 in 2026 and Ethiopia preparing to lead COP32 in 2027.
The discussions highlighted the potential for closer collaboration on climate action and international environmental priorities. Ethiopia is preparing to use its upcoming COP32 presidency to strengthen Africa’s participation in global climate discussions and bring the continent’s priorities, challenges and proposed solutions to the international platform.
Ethiopia also highlighted its environmental initiatives, particularly the Green Legacy Initiative, a government-led programme focused on large-scale tree planting, forest restoration and improving climate resilience. The programme forms part of the country's broader efforts to address environmental degradation and promote sustainable development.
Türkiye and Ethiopia have maintained diplomatic and economic relations, with trade and investment emerging as important areas for further cooperation. President Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye’s intention to continue taking steps to expand collaboration with Ethiopia across multiple sectors, particularly trade and investment. He also reiterated Türkiye’s support for peace and stability in Ethiopia’s region.
The meeting included senior Turkish government officials, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, and Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir. Their participation reflected the broader economic, diplomatic and strategic dimensions of the bilateral engagement.
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Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership and translating shared priorities into tangible progress. The discussions also underscore the importance of cooperation between the incoming and outgoing COP presidencies in maintaining momentum on international climate commitments and advancing collaborative action.