Ethiopian PM at COP31 in Antalya urged major emitters to deepen emissions cuts

Call to major emitters at the Antalya summit

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali spoke at the COP31 climate summit taking place in Antalya, Turkey, and called on the countries with the largest emissions to deepen their cuts. «Those who bear the greatest responsibility and have the means to act must lead with deeper reductions this decade,» he said, according to the Anadolu agency. At the same time, he promised that Ethiopia, which will host the next COP32 conference, will prioritize early response to climate threats and accelerating the delivery of climate finance.

The Ethiopian premier's arguments

Abiy linked climate spending to social costs: «The more we spend on fighting climate damage, the less remains for investment in schools, healthcare, and opportunities for our youth.» According to the agency, Ethiopia faces recurring droughts and floods, with droughts growing in scale, frequency, and consequences since the 1970s; the country's vulnerability is compounded by high poverty levels, rapid population growth, and agriculture's heavy dependence on rainfall.

An example of its own policy and plans for COP32

As his country's contribution, the prime minister cited the ban on imports of gasoline and diesel cars: «Ethiopia is doing its part. We have banned the import of gasoline and diesel vehicles because we are switching to electric cars.» The restrictions were introduced in 2024, and Ethiopia became one of the first countries to take such a step, seeking to reduce dependence on imported fuel and develop electric transport. As for COP32, which Ethiopia will host in 2027 in Addis Ababa — the capital where the African Union headquarters is located — Abiy said the government will prioritize early action to protect vulnerable communities from climate disasters. Ethiopia received the right to host the conference last year at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, beating out Nigeria's bid.