The COP: A forum in crisis
The Framework Convention on Climate Change of the United Nations, known as COP, has been a point of reference in the fight against climate change. However, since its edition in Paris (COP21), it has been losing prestige and credibility, calling into question its effectiveness as a platform for global action.
Baku: A controversial stage for COP29
The next event, COP29, will be held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, between November 11 and 22. The selection of this country, which shares a dark past of repression and conflict, has generated controversy, especially considering its dependence on fossil fuels.
A complex geopolitical context
The choice of Baku as the host city is due to international political dynamics, with Russia and Ukraine’s allies boycotting the proposals of other candidates. Azerbaijan is one of the few countries that maintains relations with both the West and Russia, which complicates its position in the climate change debate.
Challenges in negotiations
Negotiators have expressed doubts about Azerbaijan’s real intention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The talks focus on the need for financing for the energy transition of developing countries, which demand a significant increase in available funds.
Economic expectations and global responsibilities
Developing countries are calling for the amount earmarked for this transition to be increased tenfold, from the current $100 billion per year. The pressure is on industrialized nations to ensure that countries like China and the Persian Gulf monarchies also contribute.
Political tensions that mark the event
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev further inflamed the controversy with his criticism of Western powers, accusing them of hypocrisy. French minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher decided not to participate in the conference, highlighting the tensions between the fight against climate change and political agendas.
A crisis of multilateral diplomacy
The current situation at COP29 is a reflection of the degradation of multilateral diplomacy, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and global crises. Experts such as Víctor Pou warn of the deepening rift between the West and the nations of the East and the South, a dynamic that has accelerated in recent years.
An uncertain future for the COP
With COP29 on the horizon, the international community faces a major challenge. The legitimacy of the conference and its ability to generate a real impact in the fight against climate change depend on the political will of the participating countries and their ability to overcome current divisions.
