Antalya:The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has praised Ethiopia for its progress in urban transformation, environmental restoration, and clean-energy development. These initiatives are being recognized as potential flagship projects for Ethiopia's hosting of the COP32 summit.
According to Ethiopian Press Agency, Omar Sylla, Director of UN-Habitat's Regional Office for Africa, made these remarks during the launch of the Ethiopian Pavilion at the ongoing COP31 summit in Antalya, Türkiye. He emphasized Ethiopia's efforts in forest restoration, tree planting, public-space rehabilitation, and riverbank development as significant contributions to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Sylla specifically highlighted Addis Ababa's corridor development as a notable initiative that could be expanded and showcased internationally during COP32, which is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa in 2027. This urban transformation project is being expanded to other Ethiopian cities, offering opportunities to improve urban infrastructure, green public spaces, and living conditions.
Furthermore, Sylla noted that UN-Habitat is collaborating with Addis Ababa to document successful urban development practices and create bankable projects to support sustainable urban transformation. He identified urban corridor development, nature-based solutions through riverbank restoration, and the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, including electric mobility, as areas with potential for wider application.
Meanwhile, representatives from India's Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA) have called for increased climate financing and greater attention to adaptation, loss, and damage at COP31. Dulari, a youth activist and researcher with YUVA, highlighted the impact of climate-related disasters on young people and vulnerable communities in informal settlements.
Minar Pimple, Senior Advisor to YUVA, stressed the importance of translating international climate commitments into practical actions and fulfilling financial support obligations, especially for developing countries. He urged that COP32 in Addis Ababa should enhance visibility for African and Global South perspectives and prioritize the implementation of climate commitments.
In related discussions, Perry Verfan from Heydom Co-Africa, participating in Ethiopia's COP32 planning, pointed to the Green Legacy Initiative as an example of mobilizing domestic resources and public participation for environmental restoration. He also mentioned Ethiopia's electric mobility policy and renewable energy investments as initiatives offering practical lessons for other countries. Verfan highlighted the potential for Ethiopia to expand clean-energy production and strengthen its role as an energy hub for East Africa by leveraging its renewable electricity resources.
