Greta Thunberg Leads Georgia Protest Against COP29

Greta Thunberg led a protest in Tbilisi, Georgia, against Azerbaijan hosting the COP29 climate talks, criticizing the country for its authoritarian policies and accusing it of using the event for 'greenwashing' its human rights abuses. Thunberg condemned Azerbaijan as a 'repressive, occupying state,' highlighting its recent military actions in the Karabakh region and its suppression of dissent under President Ilham Aliyev. She described the hosting of the conference in a major oil-producing nation as 'beyond absurd,' stressing the need for genuine climate action amidst predictions of significant global warming. Thunberg argued that climate justice should not overlook human rights violations, emphasizing the intertwined nature of ecological and social justice. The protest in Tbilisi was one of the closest demonstrations to Baku, as Azerbaijan had closed its land borders, limiting activists' access. This stance reflects broader criticisms that Azerbaijan's commitment to clean energy projects is primarily a facade for continuing its oil and gas exports.