Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University was represented at the panel meeting “The Role of Innovative Environment and Green Technologies in Universities” within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).
Day: November 22, 2024
This week saw the last week of COP29 in Baku, including US Congressmen facing hostility and leaving the country and the German MFA criticizing Azerbaijan’s human rights record.
US Congressmen face hostility at COP29 and leave the country
U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone and Senator Edward Markey faced hostility during their visit to Baku, Azerbaijan, for the COP29. President Ilham Aliyev excluded Pallone from a meeting with American congressmen, citing his “pro-Armenian stance and anti-Azerbaijan activities”. Government-aligned NGOs protested against Pallone, accusing him of “anti-Azerbaijan propaganda”. Both Pallone and Markey left Azerbaijan, criticizing the government’s actions and the poor state of human rights.
Pallone described the Azerbaijani government as a “tyrannical regime” and vowed to continue advocating for the rights of Armenians, including the release of Armenian prisoners and the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenian lands. Markey echoed these sentiments, labeling the human rights situation in Azerbaijan as “terrible” and criticizing the country’s hosting of COP29 given its human rights record.
Upon returning to the U.S., both congressmen held a press conference, expressing disappointment in President Aliyev’s refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue about regional peace and human rights. They also sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging him to press Azerbaijan for reforms and to stop human rights violations before the COP29 summit.
Global academics demand the release of Gubad Ibadoglu during COP29
159 professors and teachers from 100 universities across 28 countries have petitioned Muxtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and the president of COP29, demanding the immediate release of economist Gubad Ibadoglu. Detained since July 23, 2023, Ibadoglu faces charges under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, which he deems fabricated, including accusations of handling counterfeit currency and distributing extremist religious materials.
The coalition’s letter highlights Ibadoglu’s deteriorating health, including severe diabetes and critical heart and kidney issues, exacerbated by inadequate medical care during his detention. The academics emphasized Ibadoglu’s contributions to anti-corruption efforts and promoting transparency in the fossil fuel industry, arguing that his expertise is vital amidst Azerbaijan’s hosting of the COP29 climate conference.
The signatories are pressing for a transparent review of the charges against Ibadoglu, improved access to medical services, and his unconditional release. Recently, on April 22, 2024, Ibadoglu’s pre-trial detention was substituted with house arrest. Despite this, he has paused his political activities due to health concerns.
Baerbock criticizes Azerbaijan’s rights record during COP29
During the COP29 climate conference in Baku, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized Azerbaijan’s human rights situation, describing it as “deplorable.” Baerbock, addressing the media on November 21, expressed concerns over the imprisonment of climate activists, journalists, and opposition members in Azerbaijan. She emphasized that these issues would be discussed with the Azerbaijani government.
Baerbock stated, “Germany supports the release of government critics and will raise this issue in meetings with Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry.” She highlighted ongoing political discussions between Germany and Azerbaijan, where human rights have always been a critical topic.
Baerbock also mentioned specific cases, including the travel ban on Gubad Ibadoglu and the unacceptable entry bans imposed by Azerbaijan on 76 members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, affecting members of the German Bundestag.
The post Friday Wrap-up: second week of COP29 in Baku appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
Reading an article recently published by Politico, a prominent European news agency on Azerbaijan’s alleged ‘re-exporting’ of Russian gas to Europe, one might conclude that either the author has lost his mind or the editor is ignorant of the facts. Frankly speaking, the article resembles the work of a defiant teenager trying to assert himself by challenging societal norms. Even, calling this collection of words an article is improper.
COP29 Baku negotiations extend
Today, November 22, was scheduled to mark the conclusion of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), held in Baku. However, reports surfaced yesterday suggesting that the event might be extended by one or two days.
This information was shared by the pro-government outlet 1news.az, citing its own sources.
According to insiders, the potential extension depends on the progress and outcomes of the negotiations, as well as the likelihood of reaching agreements. If no agreements are achieved, COP29 in Baku could be extended for an additional day or two.
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In the past, there have been instances during previous Conferences where sessions were extended until midnight the following day.
However, no official information has been released on this matter yet, as everything will depend on the progress of the negotiations.
“Now is time to lay all cards on table”
On November 21, UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the COP29 climate conference in Baku, stressing the need for a decisive push to finalize an agreement. He cautioned that “bankruptcy is not an option” in the ongoing negotiations.
Azerbaijan’s bureau of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, citing Reuters, reported that tensions and disagreements have already begun to emerge at the summit. The proposal for a new global financial target reflects two competing perspectives.
The primary goal of COP29 is to set a financial target for wealthier developed nations to provide funding to poorer countries in their fight against climate change. However, progress on these discussions has been sluggish, with the final draft of the negotiation text released just 48 hours before the summit’s scheduled conclusion.
“The text we have now… is unbalanced, ineffective, and unacceptable,” stated EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, calling on Azerbaijan to show stronger leadership in its role as COP29 president.
Economists participating in last week’s talks emphasized that developing nations will need at least $1 trillion to combat climate change by the end of the decade. Meanwhile, some developed countries continue to advocate for maintaining a financial target between $300 billion and $500 billion, as in previous agreements.
The 10-page document, published on November 21, highlights the conflicting positions of developed and developing nations in the lead-up to the event.
One position suggests that allocated funds, whether in the form of grants or equivalent contributions, should not be formally included in the target program for mutual assistance to developing countries. This stance primarily concerns major potential donors, such as China.
The other position aligns more closely with the perspective of wealthy nations, advocating for a broader range of financing methods to achieve the final annual target, rather than relying solely on grants from developed countries.
However, neither proposal specifies an annual investment target for the recipient nations, leaving this figure marked with an “X.”
Azerbaijan’s chief negotiator at COP29, Yalchin Rafiev, emphasized that “now is the time to lay all the cards on the table.”
Some negotiators noted that the proposals presented had not been promised at last year’s summit in Dubai, where the commitment to phase out fossil fuels was hailed as a major milestone.
The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, aimed to limit global warming to 1.5-2 degrees Celsius by 2030. Yet, this year, global temperatures have already risen by 1.3 degrees Celsius.
“EU and US reluctant to shoulder significant financial burden”
The pro-government agency Report previously cited a diplomatic source familiar with the discussions, noting that the negotiations are unfolding in a tense atmosphere.
According to the source, the European Union (EU) and the United States are reluctant to take on a significant financial burden. “The EU recognizes that this must be addressed now, as it will likely become impossible if Donald Trump returns to power in the United States,” the report stated.
The collective West is reportedly working to involve developing countries with substantial financial resources, including China, Qatar, and others. While South Korea, Singapore, and, to some extent, the UAE have expressed readiness to participate, China and Saudi Arabia remain firmly opposed.
China is said to be applying pressure on the process and on Western countries through the China+G77 group.
The unnamed source noted that the US strategy at all COP negotiations has been to avoid taking on commitments and to protect the American oil and gas industry. The current U.S. negotiating team has been acting with significant uncertainty following Donald Trump’s election as president.
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bolivia, and other countries in this group oppose the fossil fuel transition document adopted last year in the UAE and are blocking its reintroduction to the agenda.
Azerbaijan is acting as a mediator and leading the negotiation process, but the geopolitical polarization remains intense. Achieving success in setting a new financial target would be a victory for the entire world. Conversely, failure to do so would mark a global setback for climate action and the planet as a whole.
COP29 Baku negotiations extend