On November 23, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) concluded in Baku. The conference, chaired by Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, lasted for two weeks.
A historic agreement on the framework for global carbon markets was reached during the session, breaking a decade-long deadlock related to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The new provisions establish transparent and reliable mechanisms for international cooperation on emission reductions, leading to an annual savings of $300 billion compared to the previously anticipated $250 billion.
The events of COP29, the issues raised, disputes, and discussions on human rights were analyzed in the program "Complex Questions" by Fuad Hasanov, a member of the Global Council for the Eurasia Region of the international organization Publish What You Pay, chairman of the public association "Monitor of Democracy," and a former senior specialist at the UN Development Program.
According to Hasanov, the key achievement of COP29 was the consensus reached among participant countries.
Another notable aspect was that, aside from 2-3 events, human rights issues were not prominently discussed at the conference. Nevertheless, the dire human rights situation in Azerbaijan was widely covered by major international media during this period.
The expert noted that, from a technical and organizational perspective, COP29 was conducted at a high standard and partially contributed to achieving image-related goals. However, the government expended significant financial and other resources on hosting such a prominent forum, even as reconstruction efforts continue in the territories liberated from Armenian occupation and citizens face difficulties due to rising prices.
Hasanov stated that COP29 participants committed to providing $300 billion annually to help poorer and more vulnerable countries adapt to climate change and transition their economies to green energy by 2035. However, developing countries, from India to Cuba, which had demanded over $1 trillion in assistance, criticized the deal.
In Hasanov's opinion, the most notable innovation of the final agreement is the West’s intent to hold other major players accountable, including those still classified as developing economies, such as China and the Gulf countries.
Difficult question
-
The municipal elections in Azerbaijan, held on January 29, took place without significant public interest or pre-election activity, according to an election law expert. Official data from the Central Election Commission (CEC) reported a voter turnout of 31.45%, but independent observers have cast doubt on this figure.
-
The absence of Azerbaijan's delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) winter session has sparked questions about the country’s participation in the European institution. According to sources in Azerbaijan's parliament, PACE did not send an official invitation to Azerbaijan, as participation requires such an invitation to be issued.
-
Azerbaijani pro-government media have unleashed an unexpected wave of anti-Russian rhetoric, including claims of espionage at the "Russian House" and accusations that the opposition National Council has ties with Moscow. Chairman of the National Council of Democratic Forces Jamil Hasanli dismissed the allegations as baseless, describing them as part of a smear campaign by the government to shift attention from its own close ties with the Kremlin.
-
In the wake of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, questions about his administration’s foreign policy direction loom large, particularly regarding its approach to the South Caucasus. Speaking on the "Difficult Question" program from Washington, Azerbaijani journalist Alex Raufoglu gave a subtle assessment of how the Trump presidency could affect relations between the United States and Azerbaijan.
Leave a review