Afghanistan to Attend UN Climate Talks for First Time Under Taliban Rule
Afghan Delegation to Participate in COP29 in Azerbaijan
Afghanistan will participate in the UN climate change summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, a first since the Taliban assumed control in 2021.
The foreign ministry confirmed the attendance of an Afghan government delegation at COP29, which runs from November 11-22.
This follows unsuccessful attempts to join previous summits in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates due to international isolation of the Taliban regime.
Although the delegation's exact role remains unclear, sources suggest it will have observer status.
Afghanistan is the sixth most vulnerable country to climate change, and its authorities argue the issue should transcend politics.
The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) has been advocating for the revival of stalled environmental projects and their participation in global discussions.
Afghanistan, a Paris Agreement signatory, previously worked on its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), which NEPA continues to update despite uncertain recognition by the UN.
NEPA Director-General Mawlawi Matiul Haq Khalis has criticized the nation's previous exclusion from COP summits and called for compensation for climate damages.
The UN highlights Afghanistan's exposure to climate-related threats, with recent flash floods in May illustrating the severe impact on a population heavily reliant on agriculture.
The UN development agency notes that issues such as droughts and floods pose significant challenges, demanding international cooperation and aid to enhance Afghanistan's resilience.
The foreign ministry confirmed the attendance of an Afghan government delegation at COP29, which runs from November 11-22.
This follows unsuccessful attempts to join previous summits in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates due to international isolation of the Taliban regime.
Although the delegation's exact role remains unclear, sources suggest it will have observer status.
Afghanistan is the sixth most vulnerable country to climate change, and its authorities argue the issue should transcend politics.
The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) has been advocating for the revival of stalled environmental projects and their participation in global discussions.
Afghanistan, a Paris Agreement signatory, previously worked on its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), which NEPA continues to update despite uncertain recognition by the UN.
NEPA Director-General Mawlawi Matiul Haq Khalis has criticized the nation's previous exclusion from COP summits and called for compensation for climate damages.
The UN highlights Afghanistan's exposure to climate-related threats, with recent flash floods in May illustrating the severe impact on a population heavily reliant on agriculture.
The UN development agency notes that issues such as droughts and floods pose significant challenges, demanding international cooperation and aid to enhance Afghanistan's resilience.
