COP29 Conference in Azerbaijan: Afghanistan’s Participation
The upcoming COP29 conference, set to commence on Monday in Azerbaijan, represents a significant milestone in global discussions on climate change. Notably, it is one of the first major multilateral talks to include the Taliban, the de facto rulers of Afghanistan, who currently lack international recognition. This inclusion marks a pivotal moment in engaging with Afghanistan on environmental issues.
The National Environmental Protection Agency of Afghanistan has announced via the social media platform X that a specialized technical delegation has arrived in Baku to take part in this crucial event. Matiul Haq Khalis, the agency’s head, emphasized that the delegation aims to foster cooperation with the international community on pressing environmental protection and climate change matters. Their objectives include addressing Afghanistan’s urgent needs for access to existing financial mechanisms related to climate change, as well as discussing essential adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Experts have highlighted to The Associated Press the severe repercussions of climate change on Afghanistan, which has been exacerbated by the country’s challenging geographical conditions and its inadequate climate policies. Hayatullah Mashwani, a professor of environmental science at Kabul University, noted, “The impacts of climate change have manifested in rising temperatures, which diminish water resources, leading to prolonged droughts that significantly hamper agricultural practices.” He further elaborated, “The scarcity of water and the increasing frequency of droughts present dire threats to agriculture, resulting in food insecurity and jeopardizing the livelihoods of many.”
In August, the international aid organization Save the Children released a report ranking Afghanistan as the sixth most vulnerable country to climate change impacts. Alarmingly, it stated that 25 out of 34 provinces are grappling with severe or catastrophic drought conditions, affecting over half the nation’s population. Additionally, as of the end of 2023, Afghanistan recorded the highest number of children displaced by climate-related disasters globally, underscoring the dire humanitarian crisis.
Professor Abid Arabzai from Kabul University expressed optimism regarding the climate conference, stating it could be instrumental in securing vital international assistance and funding to tackle Afghanistan’s climate challenges. He asserted, “This platform allows Afghanistan to articulate its climate actions and commitments to the global community, thus enhancing its international standing and reputation.”
Related
- Floods kill more than 300 people in northern Afghanistan, UN says
- Aid workers warn of deepening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan after two years of Taliban rule
