In a significant development, Azerbaijan is on the brink of hosting the COP29 Climate Change Summit after gaining crucial backing from Eastern European nations. This support follows a strategic endorsement during the COP28 summit in Dubai, breaking a long-standing geopolitical deadlock in deciding the next global gathering on climate change.
Nations from the Eastern European region, set to host next year's summit, officially supported Baku's bid during a meeting on Saturday. Azerbaijan expressed gratitude to Eastern European nations and the host of COP28, the United Arab Emirates, for their unwavering support.
The journey to secure the hosting position faced challenges when Russia declared its intention to veto any bid from a European Union country, citing EU sanctions due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Azerbaijan, not an EU member, successfully navigated this diplomatic challenge. While formal approval for Baku's bid is pending from nearly 200 participating countries at the ongoing COP28 talks, delegates anticipate a smooth and formality-bound vote.
The urgency arises from the customary practice of announcing UN climate summit hosts years in advance, leaving Baku with limited time for preparation. Aykhan Hajizada, spokesperson for Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, assured on Friday that Baku is well-equipped for the task, with ample venues and amenities.
The presidency of a UN climate summit is not just a ceremonial honor; it grants a country substantial influence over the event's agenda and outcomes. This year's UN climate summit in the UAE, with over 110,000 registered delegates, emphasizes the global significance of such gatherings.
However, Azerbaijan's bid faces geopolitical complexities. Relations with some Western countries have strained since September, following Baku's reclamation of full control over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, causing a mass exodus of the territory's ethnic Armenian population. Azerbaijan, an oil and gas producer and an OPEC member, faces scrutiny, with concerns raised about hosting climate negotiations in another oil-producing nation.
Addressing concerns, Hajizada acknowledged the apprehensions and emphasized Azerbaijan's commitment to diversifying its energy sources by incorporating more wind and solar power into its energy portfolio. A recent deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia, announced on Thursday, has paved the way for Baku to bid for COP29 without the threat of an Armenian veto.
As Azerbaijan readies to potentially host COP29, it faces a critical juncture in shaping the global discourse on climate change, armed with support from Eastern European nations and a determination to overcome challenges.
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