COP29: Taliban-led Afghan govt. sets for first global event participation in Azerbaijan

An Afghan delegation will attend the upcoming UN climate change summit, COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, marking the Taliban government’s first participation in such a global event since taking power.

Despite political isolation, Afghan officials have been pressing for a seat at climate talks, emphasizing that their lack of international recognition should not prevent them from addressing climate issues. Afghanistan is the world’s sixth most vulnerable country to climate change.

After unsuccessful attempts to join previous COP summits, this year Afghanistan received an invitation from Azerbaijan, the COP29 host.

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The Afghan delegation will attend in an observer capacity, according to foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi. The summit will run from November 11 to 22.

Officials from Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) argue that climate issues should be separated from politics.

“Climate change is a humanitarian issue,” NEPA deputy head Zainulabedin Abid emphasized, calling for the restoration of environmental projects halted since the Taliban came to power in the country.

NEPA has continued work on Afghanistan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the 2015 Paris Agreement, which calls for countries to reduce emissions.

NEPA climate director Ruhollah Amin said the agency remains committed to finalizing the NDC, even if it’s not officially acknowledged by the UN climate body, viewing it as a national priority.

In February of this year, Baku reopened its embassy in Kabul, although it has not formally recognize the Taliban government.