AMECEA Holds Climate Change and Environmental Protection Forum in Addis Ababa

The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) convened a forum on climate change and environmental protection from 13–17 April 2026 at the Consolata Missionaries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting focused on the implementation of the Church’s social teaching document Laudato Si’ and was organized by AMECEA in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE).

Representatives from AMECEA member states actively engaged in environmental care and climate action programs attended the forum. Participants reviewed and discussed in detail the work carried out across the region in response to Laudato Si’, the apostolic exhortation issued by the late Pope Francis, reflecting on achievements, challenges, and opportunities for deeper commitment to care for creation.

Speaking at the forum, Rev. Fr. Paul Igweta, Coordinator of the Justice, Peace and Caritas Department at AMECEA, noted that the meeting formed part of the preparations for the 21st AMECEA Plenary Assembly, scheduled to be held in July 2026.
“This forum provided an opportunity to review the work being done by member conferences on climate change and environmental protection, as well as to discuss future plans,” he said. The gathering also assessed progress made over the past four years on the seven pillars adopted by the AMECEA Plenary Assembly in Tanzania in 2022 for the implementation of Laudato Si’.

The forum was graced by the presence of the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia and Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, His Eminence Cardinal Abune Birhaneyesus, who welcomed the delegates to Ethiopia. In his address, the Cardinal highlighted Ethiopia’s rich natural heritage and the deep connection between its people and nature. He emphasized that caring for the environment and safeguarding the earth is a fundamental Christian responsibility.
His Eminence further noted that Ethiopia’s selection as host for this and future conferences reflects the concerted efforts of both citizens and government in addressing climate change and environmental protection.

Participants also exchanged experiences with Church institutions and partner organizations engaged in environmental and climate-related services that are already yielding positive results. The forum explored ways of strengthening collaboration with Catholic initiatives such as the Laudato Si’ Movement and other organizations providing technical and pastoral support across the region.

The meeting concluded with a strong call for a unified Catholic voice and greater solidarity among Church networks in responding to climate change, particularly given the region’s vulnerability to climate impacts. Participants emphasized the importance of amplifying Catholic social teaching at major regional and international platforms, including Ethiopia-hosted initiatives such as the 2nd African Climate Change Conference held last year, as well as upcoming global forums, including COP32 and other international climate engagements.