Taliban Attends COP29 Climate Summit in Azerbaijan

The Taliban will make its debut at a U.N. climate conference, COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, marking their first major international appearance since regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021. A technical delegation from Afghanistan's National Environmental Protection Agency is attending, although the Taliban government remains unrecognized by the U.N. due to issues surrounding women's rights. Despite this, they have been invited as observers and can engage in peripheral discussions but lack formal accreditation to participate in main sessions. The Taliban has emphasized the urgency of addressing Afghanistan's severe environmental issues, including floods and droughts, which threaten food security. Critics argue that the Taliban's international isolation hinders vital support for the Afghan populace. The summit runs from November 11 to 22, highlighting Afghanistan's vulnerability to climate change.