Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – September 5, 2025
The African Youth Climate Assembly (AYCA) 2025 officially opened today at the historic Adwa Memorial Hall, bringing together hundreds of youth leaders, policymakers, development partners, and climate advocates from across the continent.
Senior Ethiopian leaders, including H.E. Temesgen Tiruneh, Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Dr. Fitsum Assefa, Minister of Planning & Development, and H.E. Dr. Ergoge Tesfaye, Minister of Women and Social Affairs, underscored the pivotal role of young people in Africa’s climate future. They emphasized that African youth are not merely beneficiaries of climate policies but vital architects of solutions for resilience and sustainable growth.
Over the next two days (September 5–6, 2025), youth delegates will develop the Addis Declaration, a unified position that will directly feed into the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) and the Addis Ababa Declaration on Climate & Development.
The Ethiopian government, which is hosting this historic youth conference, highlighted initiatives such as the Green Legacy Initiative, the shift to E-Vehicles, and other homegrown African innovations as examples of how young people are already shaping climate action and inspiring global change.
“This is more than just a gathering,” the organizers stated. “It is a movement to ensure African youth voices are placed at the heart of climate decision-making and continental transformation.”
The Assembly is supported by partners including the Office of the Prime Minister – Ethiopia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, the Ministry of Planning and Development, and international partners such as the British Embassy in Addis Ababa.
As the continent faces growing climate challenges, AYCA 2025 stands as a strong reminder that Africa’s youthful population is not only its greatest asset but also its most powerful driver of climate justice and sustainable development.