By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Ethiopia has officially
opened its pavilion at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference
(COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, as the country steps up preparations to host COP32
in Addis Ababa.
The opening ceremony was led
by H.E. Gedion Timothewos, Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and COP32
President-Designate, together with H.E. Fitsum Assefa (PhD), Minister of
Finance and COP32 Chief Negotiator. They were joined by diplomats,
representatives of partner organisations and members of the Ethiopian
delegation.
Ethiopia’s Minister of
Innovation and Technology, Frehiwot Tamru, was also present at the ceremony.
Timothewos arrived in
Antalya to participate in COP31, where he is expected to engage with the COP31
Presidency, Parties, negotiating groups and partners to support a smooth
transition from the current conference to COP32.
His engagements are expected
to focus on strengthening cooperation with key climate stakeholders and
ensuring continuity in the international climate negotiation process ahead of
Ethiopia’s hosting of the next conference.
Ethiopia’s participation at
COP31 marks an important step in its preparations to assume the COP32
Presidency and welcome global leaders, climate negotiators, development
partners and other stakeholders to Addis Ababa.
The country has expressed
its readiness to host the international climate community, signalling its
preparations for the transition from COP31 to COP32.
The message accompanying the
pavilion opening captured the country's preparations with the statement: “From
Antalya to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is ready to welcome the world.”
