Azerbaijan’s Controversial Role as COP29 Host Amid Human Rights and Fossil Fuel Criticisms
Nov 3
2 min read
Brussels, 31 October 2024 –
With COP29 taking place in the Azerbaijani capital from 11-22 November, several debates have been opened about Azerbaijan's role in the climate dialogue and its climate policies.
The head of the Greens’ delegation to COP29 has hit out at critics of Azerbaijan's human rights record and fossil fuel production.
MEP Michael Bloss highlighted the disposable phones being issued to MEPs ahead of COP29, which will be held in the capital Baku from 11-22 November 2024, amid fears of hacking by foreign agents.
The head of the Greens’ delegation also raised security concerns, telling Euronews: "Security advisers have warned us that our devices are likely to be infiltrated - a precaution based on first-hand experience of surveillance and reprisals in the region”.
The MEP went on to emphasize his disagreement with the choice of Azerbaijan to host the 29th COP, given the country's repression of critical and outspoken voices and its use of the event to rehabilitate its image on the international stage. He also criticizedEgypt and the United Arab Emirates, hosts of the previous two COP editions, for their heavy reliance on fossil gas exports, citing the specific example of SOCAR: "Socar, the Azerbaijani gas and oil company, has announced plans to expand its oil and gas drilling operations”.
Bloss also stressed the importance of setting a clear and precise date for the end of fossil fuels, something that is unlikely to be addressed at COP29 due to the complexity of the issue. Instead, the focus will be on financing, more specifically on the EU wants to expand the number of countries that currently contribute to the $100 billion climate fund.
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