The Taliban will participate in a U.N. climate conference for the first time since their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, as announced by the country’s national environment agency on Sunday.
The conference, referred to as COP29, is set to commence on Monday in Azerbaijan and represents a significant multilateral dialogue involving the Taliban, who currently lack official recognition as the legitimate governing body of Afghanistan.
The National Environmental Protection Agency shared on the social media platform X that a technical delegation has traveled to Baku for this event.
Matiul Haq Khalis, the head of the agency, indicated that the delegation aims to enhance collaboration with the international community on issues of environmental protection and climate change, articulate Afghanistan’s requirements for access to existing financial mechanisms related to climate initiatives, and engage in discussions regarding adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Experts have informed The Associated Press that climate change has inflicted numerous adverse effects on Afghanistan, presenting serious challenges due to the country’s geographical characteristics and inadequate climate policies.
“Climate change has led to increased temperatures, which diminish water resources and trigger droughts, severely impacting agricultural practices,” stated Hayatullah Mashwani, a professor of environmental science at Kabul University. “The decline in water availability and the prevalence of droughts pose significant threats to agriculture, resulting in food insecurity and jeopardizing livelihoods.”
