Ethiopia is using Africa’s largest mass-participation road race to raise its international profile ahead of hosting the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32) in 2027.
The initiative follows a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Youth and Sport and the Great Ethiopian Run, establishing a partnership to use major running events to promote the conference, engage communities and showcase the country’s sporting and tourism potential.
Founded in 2001 by Olympic champion Haile Gebrselassie, the Great Ethiopian Run has grown into Africa’s largest road race, attracting tens of thousands of participants to Addis Ababa. Its flagship 10km event, scheduled for November 22, is expected to attract a record 60,000 runners.
Under the agreement, the annual 10km and the Discover Ethiopia Classics series will become platforms for raising awareness of COP32, extending the initiative beyond the capital. The conference is scheduled for November 8–19, 2027, in Addis Ababa.
Established in 2021 by the Great Ethiopian Run in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the Discover Ethiopia Classics combines road racing with opportunities to experience the country’s cultural heritage and natural attractions. Its 2026 programme included six destinations: Debre Berhan, Hawassa, Jimma, Bekoji, Arba Minch and Harar.
The partnership comes as the Great Ethiopian Run continues to expand its youth programmes. For the 2026 edition, organisers allocated 3,000 free entries to Grade 12 students and expanded the children’s races to accommodate up to 5,000 primary-school participants.
The event is also entering a new phase of international sponsorship. Bank of America has become its presenting partner under a multi-year agreement covering the flagship 10km and children’s races. The bank will also support the Women’s First 5km beginning in 2027.
Beyond COP32 promotion, the memorandum identifies youth development, grassroots participation and the nurturing of emerging athletic talent as key areas of cooperation. The objectives build on Ethiopia’s international reputation in distance running while seeking to extend organised sporting opportunities to communities nationwide.
Youth and Sport Minister Dr Akililu Tadesse said the agreement demonstrated how sport could connect national activities with Ethiopia’s international engagement, particularly its preparations for COP32. He also highlighted the potential contribution to youth development, community participation and economic opportunities.
Great Ethiopian Run Chief Executive Officer Dagmawit Amare echoed those sentiments.
“The Memorandum of Understanding reflects our shared commitment to using sport as a major platform in Ethiopia’s preparations for COP32 and aligning national sporting activities with the country’s international engagement,” she said.
“It also highlights the broader contribution sport makes to youth development, community participation and economic opportunities.”
The agreement gives Ethiopia’s COP32 preparations a significant mass-participation and community-engagement component, using the country’s established running culture to reach audiences well beyond the conference itself.
