On September 8, the European Union (EU), together with its Member States, inaugurated the Team Europe Pavilion at the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), in Addis Ababa, in the presence of African and international partners and other dignitaries. The official opening was led by Teresa Ribera, European Commission Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Sofie From-Emmesberger, EU Ambassador to Ethiopia, Javier Niño Pérez, EU Ambassador to the African Union, Semereta Sewasew, State Minister of Finance for Economic Cooperation of Ethiopia, Moses Vilakati, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, and Jean-Luc Crucke, Minister of Mobility, Climate and Ecological Transition of Belgium, on behalf of all EU member states. On the year of both the 50 anniversary of the EU-Ethiopian relations and the 25 anniversary of the AU-EU partnership (#AUEU25), it represents the strong joint commitment of Europe and Africa to accelerate climate action, deepen cooperation, and demonstrate how Global Gateway investments deliver real results for people and the planet.

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Over the three days of the event, this Pavilion was the central stage for Team Europe’s engagement at the Africa Climate Summit 2. It hosted high-level debates, signings and public dialogues on issues at the heart of the global climate agenda: expanding access to clean and renewable energy, creating innovative financing instruments for Africa’s green transition, and protecting forests, water resources, and biodiversity as the natural capital on which livelihoods depend. The Team Europe Pavilion showcased the range of the EU–AU climate partnership, from flagship investments like RISED in Ethiopia to continent-wide cooperation on carbon markets, sustainable finance, and the just transition away from fossil fuels.

Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera underlined the significance of this joint effort: “This Pavilion is a living demonstration of Europe and Africa’s shared climate ambition. Together, we are showing that global goals can be translated into local action; into clean energy for households and businesses, into jobs for young people, into resilient ecosystems that safeguard future generations. Global Gateway is Europe’s proposal to Africa and the world: to work as equal partners, not as donors, to build a sustainable future side by side.”

Minister of Mobility, Climate and Ecological Transition of Belgium, Jean-Luc Crucke, said at the opening: ”The Team Europe Pavilion illustrates our collective commitment to building a sustainable, just and resilient future, in close partnership with our African friends. Belgium is proud to support the Africa Climate Summit, an initiative that translates climate ambitions into concrete local action: access to clean energy, protection of natural resources, and creation of economic opportunities for the younger generations.” 

State Minister of Finance for Economic Cooperation of Ethiopia, Semereta Sewasew, noted: “We deeply value our partnership with the EU and Team Europe and believe there is considerable
potential to expand its scope. By leveraging existing frameworks and developing new ones, we can significantly boost investment flows through the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative.”

About this opening, EU Ambassador to Ethiopia, Sofie From-Emmesberger, observed the tangible impact of this partnership: “Ethiopia is one of the clearest examples of what Team Europe
means in practice. With the launch of the RISED programme, we are investing in renewable energy that will power schools, clinics, and enterprises across the country. This is the Global Gateway at work, bringing innovation, resilience, and opportunity.”

The EU Ambassador to the African Union, Javier Niño Pérez, highlighted the continental dimension: “As we mark 25 years of the AU-EU partnership and prepare for the AU-EU Summit on
November 24-25 in Luanda, climate action is at the core of what we deliver together. To respond to the urgency of the climate crisis, as well as to seize the opportunities of a low-carbon future. As an example, The EU’s investment on renewable energy generation capacity will provide 100 million people in Africa with access to electricity by 2030. The EU and its Member States stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the African Union as it is demonstrated by the robust Team Europe participation at this landmark African Climate Summit. The EU remains fully committed and a reliable partner to support Africa’s path towards the green, circular, climate-neutral and digital transition.”

The Team Europe Pavilion was designed as a space for dialogue and exchange, bringing together partners, governments, private sector, civil society, and youth voices. It is a clear example of
how Team Europe mobilises resources, technology, and collaboration to achieve the priorities of the African Union and the European Union alike. The African Climate Summit 2025 is taking place at a decisive moment on the road to COP30 and to the AU-EU Summit. 

The Team Europe Pavilion is part of a larger EU participation at the ACS 2025 with Executive Vice-President participating in a number of events such as the High-level Panel on the African Single Electricity Market, a High Level Event on International Carbon Markets and Pricing, the Africa-Europe High-Level Policymakers Dialogue on Energy Transition Minerals and the Signing Ceremony of the Global Gateway Flagship ‘RISED Ethiopia’. Climate action is a main EU political priority and is at the heart of EU partnership with Africa: not only as an environmental imperative, but as the foundation of prosperity, stability, and opportunity for future generations.