Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 next month means the climate conference is being held for the third year running in an authoritarian state with a dubious human rights record, and for the second year in a petrostate, the Financial Times writes in an editorial.
“To ensure developing countries, and indeed fossil fuel producers, are part of a global solution to climate change, it is important they can take charge of COPs. But after Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan — where the autocratic Ilham Aliyev succeeded his father as president in 2003 — also seems to hope hosting the event can greenwash its reputation,” the editorial board writes.
The Financial Times reminds that this year’s COP takes place only 14 months after Azerbaijan chose to resolve by force a three-decadedispute with neighboring Armenia. Azerbaijan was only awarded COP29 after Armenia lifted a veto in return for the release of 32 Armenian prisoners of war.
“Allowing countries such as Azerbaijan to host global events can in theory shine a spotlight that forces autocrats to behave better. But Aliyev, who won a stage-managed fifth election victory in February, seems unfazed,” the editorial reads.
Rights groups last week called for pressure on Baku to reverse a “vicious” further clampdown on critics, media and civil society under way ahead of the COP. Domestic rights defenders estimate the country has around 300 political prisoners.
According to the Financial Times, “Azerbaijan, which has pledged a “COP of peace”, should live up to that spirit by signing a peace deal with Armenia before it begins.”
“International governments and attendees should use the opportunity to press the host country on its democratic record. They and the UN’s climate arm must ensure rights are respected during the conference. And reforms are badly needed to tighten the process of awarding COPs — and the obligations of the hosts,” article concludes.
