Sir Keir Starmer has stated that he has no intention of meeting with the Taliban during the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, as confirmed by Downing Street. The militant group, who will be sending delegates to the conference for the first time since their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, will not have a face-to-face meeting with the Prime Minister. The summit aims to bring together 96 different delegations from around the world to strengthen global climate action and engagement.
COP summits are crucial meetings on climate change, and this year’s event is the 29th COP taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan. While Sir Keir Starmer will be in attendance, notable leaders such as the US and Chinese presidents will not be present. Additionally, G7 leaders and the EU president have also confirmed their absence from the talks.
One of the primary objectives of this year’s summit is to secure more funding for poorer countries affected by climate change, such as Afghanistan. The country faces extreme weather conditions, including flooding and droughts, which have claimed hundreds of lives. The Afghan delegation expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijan government for inviting them to the climate talks, despite having observer status due to their government’s lack of recognition by the UN and international community.
As the talks commence, the UN warns that the world is on track for a catastrophic 3.1°C of warming. However, with key leaders absent and Azerbaijan’s reliance on oil and gas, progress on critical issues like emissions cuts and phasing out fossil fuels remains uncertain. Moreover, the return of Donald Trump to the White House signifies a potential setback in climate action, as he is expected to prioritize fossil fuels and withdraw from global agreements like the Paris Agreement.
In conclusion, the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan brings together global leaders to address pressing climate issues, but challenges persist with notable absences and diverging priorities among participating countries. The need for collective action and financial support for vulnerable nations like Afghanistan underscores the urgency of effective climate policies and international cooperation.
