Azerbaijan Hosts COP29 Climate Conference

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev declared COP29 a pivotal moment in climate diplomacy, highlighting the successful hosting of the conference with over 76,000 participants and 80 world leaders. Despite facing criticism and challenges, Azerbaijan claimed to have facilitated significant agreements, including the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund and the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) to provide $300 billion annually to developing nations by 2035. However, delegates expressed disappointment over the deal, with India and others arguing that the financial commitment was insufficient. Tensions escalated during the negotiations, with representatives from the Least Developed Countries and the Alliance of Small Island States threatening to walk out over perceived inequities. Critics, including civil society groups, voiced concerns that the climate finance proposed does not adequately address the needs of vulnerable populations. The outcome of COP29 remains contentious, with some arguing that the agreements fail to meet the urgent demands of climate action.