Azerbaijan announced on Saturday its successful attainment of a consensus to host COP29 next year, marking the second consecutive UN climate summit to be held in a significant fossil fuel-producing nation.
Mukhtar Babayev, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, revealed the achievement during COP28 in Dubai. “I am pleased to announce the broad consensus on Azerbaijan’s candidacy to host COP29,” stated Babayev. “We are dedicated to working inclusively and cooperatively with all parties to ensure the success of COP29.”
While the formal approval of the next host country is pending closure of the Dubai summit on Tuesday, Babayev noted that Azerbaijan secured support from the group of Eastern European nations, slated to lead the climate summit next year, as well as from the United Arab Emirates, the current host.
Discussions at the Dubai summit have centered on the debate regarding ending fossil fuel extraction, with particular attention drawn to the host country, a member of the OPEC oil cartel that has resisted such calls.
Sultan Al Jaber, the president of COP28 and head of the UAE’s national oil company, struck a moderate tone, acknowledging the inevitability of a phase-down of fossil fuels responsible for climate change.
This week, Azerbaijan overcame a significant obstacle when its historical rival Armenia announced the withdrawal of its bid to lead COP29, pledging support for Azerbaijan as the two nations endeavor to mend relations. Azerbaijan’s recent reclamation of Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave under ethnic Armenian control for three decades, has triggered a substantial exodus of its Armenian population.
Babayev emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to adopting clean technologies in the reconstruction of Nagorno-Karabakh, aiming to transform the region into a carbon-neutral zone by 2050. He affirmed Azerbaijan’s endorsement of the UN-supported goal to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Bulgaria had also vied to host COP29 but withdrew its bid following strong opposition from Russia, which objected to the summit being held in a European Union member country.
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