Azerbaijan’s government recently appointed Mukhtar Babayev, its ecology and natural resources minister, as the president of the United Nations COP29 climate talks set for November in Baku. This decision, revealed by the COP28 UAE presidency on social media, has stirred controversy due to Babayev’s extensive background with Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil and gas company Socar.
Before his 2018 governmental role, Babayev spent 24 years at Socar, including a brief tenure as the company’s vice president for ecology. This selection follows a concerning pattern of individuals closely linked to the oil and gas industry leading U.N. climate talks. The previous summit in Dubai saw Sultan Al Jaber, the chief of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, at the helm.
A joint investigation by the BBC and the Centre for Climate Reporting in November disclosed the UAE’s intentions to discuss potential natural gas and commercial deals before the summit. Azerbaijan, a substantial natural gas exporter, showcased its gas potential during a recent meeting attended by Reuters, emphasizing plans to double gas exports to Europe by 2027.
We wish HE Mukhtar Babayev, President-Designate of COP29, and HE Yalchin Rafiyev, Lead Negotiator of COP29 every success in their roles as Azerbaijan hosts the Conference of the Parties this year.
We look forward to working alongside the COP29 and COP30 Presidencies, and the… pic.twitter.com/LsnXvBYqc1
— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) January 4, 2024
The COP28 Presidency’s tweet also highlighted Yalchin Rafiyev, Azerbaijan’s 36-year-old deputy foreign minister, as the lead negotiator for this year’s climate summit. This move has sparked criticism, especially from scientists who express disappointment in individuals connected to the oil industry continuing to influence climate negotiations.
University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the entire COP process and leadership structure. He stated, “There is too much at stake to allow for the continuation of this pattern of corruption.”
In conclusion, Azerbaijan’s choice to appoint Mukhtar Babayev, with ties to the oil and gas sector, as the president of COP29 raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the influence of the fossil fuel industry on crucial climate discussions. As the global community addresses climate challenges, ensuring transparency and unbiased leadership in international climate talks becomes increasingly crucial.