A major international climate science meeting hosted in Addis Ababa ended without agreement on the publication schedule or budget for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) next assessment reports, raising concerns over the delivery of scientific evidence needed to guide global climate action.

The breakdown at the IPCC’s 65th session, held in Ethiopia, has renewed pressure on governments to resolve deep divisions over the timing of the Seventh Assessment Report (AR7). The reports are intended to inform the United Nations’ second global stocktake of climate action, scheduled to conclude in late 2028.

The failure to reach consensus marked the sixth consecutive IPCC meeting at which governments could not agree on a timeline for the three major working group reports. IPCC Chair Sir Jim Skea described the outcome as a “profound disappointment,” calling it one of the most difficult meetings in the panel’s history.

The talks also exposed financial challenges that could threaten the completion of the assessment cycle. Delegates failed to agree on the IPCC’s proposed budget amid declining voluntary contributions and rising operating costs.

The IPCC secretariat estimates that approximately 33 million Swiss francs are needed to complete the AR7 cycle. At 2025 contribution levels, the organization’s trust fund could be depleted by the end of 2028, potentially preventing the delivery of the reports.

The central dispute in Addis Ababa concerned whether all three working group reports should be completed in time for the 2028 global stocktake or published afterward. The global stocktake evaluates progress in tackling climate change and helps guide national emissions targets and climate policies.

Countries supporting a 2028 publication schedule argued that the latest scientific findings must be available before the stocktake concludes. They warned that delaying the reports could disadvantage vulnerable island nations and developing countries facing severe climate impacts.

However, other delegations—including India, Kenya, Russia, and Saudi Arabia—supported a longer timeline, arguing that developing countries needed sufficient time to prepare for, review, and approve the reports. China opposed holding more than three plenary sessions annually and argued the reports need not be tied to the stocktake.

Skea suspended the meeting without a resolution after several delegations, including representatives of small island states, departed.

The impasse has drawn criticism from countries on the front lines of climate change. Marshall Islands climate envoy Tina Stege described the failure as a serious setback, arguing that countries need the latest science to protect lives and livelihoods. Vanuatu similarly warned that every year of delay increases climate-related risks.

During the meeting, nearly 120 scientists preparing the AR7 reports signed an open letter pledging to continue their work while warning that the world should not conduct the next global stocktake without updated IPCC findings.

Financial disagreements further complicated negotiations. According to the secretariat, 2025 contributions were 5.3 million Swiss francs lower than in 2023, and the United States has not contributed financially since 2024.

Despite the political deadlock, the IPCC stated that scientific work is continuing, including a special report on climate change and cities scheduled for 2027. The panel pledged to reconvene the suspended session at the earliest opportunity, though no date or location has been set.

Siinqee Bank S.C. has appointed Getachew Deresa, its former vice president of banking operations, as acting chief executive officer (CEO), replacing Neway Megersa , who has been appointed CEO of the Oromia Sovereign Fund (OSF), according to information obtained by Capital.

Getachew’s appointment comes at a critical stage in the bank’s development as it continues to expand its operations following its transformation from a microfinance institution into a full-fledged commercial bank.

During the 2025/26 fiscal year, Siinqee Bank recorded strong growth in its major financial indicators under Neway’s leadership. Customer deposits reached 178.1 billion birr, while total assets rose to 216.2 billion birr and total capital increased to 23.1 billion birr.

The bank also reported 10.7 billion birr in gross profit before provisions, reflecting its financial performance and continued operational growth.

Neway’s appointment to lead the OSF places him at the helm of a regional government investment institution overseeing a broad portfolio of public enterprises and corporate shareholdings.

Established in May 2025 through the restructuring of the Oromia regional government’s public enterprises office, the OSF manages more than 47 public enterprises and ownership stakes in over 25 companies. Its portfolio spans construction, manufacturing, agriculture, mining and other development sectors.

The portfolio includes Oromia Construction Group, O-Produce Group, Oro-Assembly Group, Oromia Agro-Group, O-Mining Group, Tumusa Development Group and Siinqee Group, which includes Siinqee Bank.

The fund operates under the leadership of Oromia Regional State President Shimelis Abdisa, with Adare Assefa serving as director general.

During the 2024/25 fiscal year, enterprises under the fund’s management generated more than 9.6 billion birr in revenue, underscoring the scale of its investment portfolio.

Federal prosecutors have formally filed heavy corruption and money laundering charges against the former manager of the Ethiopian Labor Market Information Project Office, top officials from the Ministry of Labor and Skills, private agency owners, and several accomplices over a massive fraud scheme exceeding 1.13 billion Birr.

According to charges brought before the Federal High Court’s 5th Heavy Corruption Bench, the former Project Office Manager, Berhanu Aleka Asgedom, abused his position to generate an illegal benefit of 1,134,609,241.93 birr. The scheme centered on exploiting the Ethiopian Labor Market Information System, specifically the online Center of Competence (COC) certification process required for citizens seeking overseas employment.

Investigators revealed that Berhanu and his co-conspirators granted administrative privileges—including “COC Special Admin” rights—to unauthorized individuals outside the ministry. These individuals facilitated the approval of competency assessments without proper training or evaluation in exchange for hefty fees collected from departing workers. To conceal the funds, fake identity cards were created to open multiple bank accounts using photos of other individuals.

The illicit proceeds were subsequently laundered into real estate and luxury assets. Prosecutors highlighted that Berhanu, alongside his wife, acquired six residential properties in Addis Ababa valued at 223,654,950 birr, as well as a high-end vehicle worth 68,144,738.03 birr. Berhanu faces four concurrent charges, including heavy corruption, money laundering, aggravated breach of trust, and gross mismanagement.

In a related count within the same charge sheet, Ermias Teklu, former Chief Executive of Overseas Employment at the Ministry of Labor and Skills, has been charged with severe administrative mismanagement for facilitating the departure of 64,091 Ethiopian citizens to Jordan using fraudulent visa documentation.

In total, 13 individuals—comprising ministry officials, agency owners, and private individuals—face 16 distinct counts covering bribery, abuse of power, money laundering, and illegal trade in authority. One primary suspect, Tamirayehu Getinet, remains at large.

HIV, tuberculosis (TB), sexually transmitted infections, substance abuse, and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases are among the major health challenges facing communities in Addis Ababa. Additionally, traffic accidents and health risks affecting young people add to growing concerns over public health services, according to a new community survey.

The survey shows that limited public awareness, difficulties in building trust between residents and health institutions, and gaps in community participation are complicating efforts to address these problems. Health professionals and community representatives say stronger cooperation, reliable information, and community-led initiatives are essential to identifying pressing needs and improving access to appropriate health services.

A community-led assessment in Kaliti, located in Addis Ababa’s Woreda 7, has brought these concerns into focus. The joint initiative between local residents and the Kaliti Health Centre identified priority health problems and service delivery gaps, seeking to strengthen communication between the community and health professionals to develop practical solutions.

The Community Power Voice (CPV) initiative, implemented in partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Ethiopia, began with 20 community members and has been operating for approximately six months since July 2025. Participants conducted assessments using questionnaires and checklists to gather information about local health concerns and service challenges. The findings will inform an upcoming action plan developed alongside key stakeholders.

Solomon Zenebe, a health professional at Kaliti Health Centre who helps coordinate the group, said community members conducted the assessments independently to ensure fairness and credibility. The approach allows residents to identify their own priorities rather than relying solely on institutional evaluations.

However, building confidence among residents remains a significant hurdle.

Meaza Alemayehu, manager of Kaliti Health Centre, noted that some community members initially viewed the outreach with suspicion, questioning whether the initiative was intended to serve the health centre’s interests rather than public needs. She emphasized that repeated awareness-raising, transparent communication, and sustained engagement are crucial to building trust and encouraging active participation.

Ultimately, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between the health centre and the community by providing a platform to identify problems, discuss solutions, and coordinate action. Its long-term success will depend on whether these assessment findings translate into practical service improvements.

Organizers hope the experience in Kaliti will offer valuable lessons for similar community-based health initiatives in other districts, proving that sustained cooperation between residents, healthcare providers, and local stakeholders can make health services more responsive to community needs.