The United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP29, began Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan, a year after a historic agreement to transition away from coal, oil and gas. The gathering, which started just days after the presidential victory of Donald Trump, is taking place as Earth is on track to endure its hottest year on record for the second year in a row.
As nations gather at this year’s talks, which are scheduled to run until Nov. 22, delegates will also have to contend with their countries’ failure so far to deliver on the central pledge of last year’s negotiations. The United States, for one, is producing more oil than any country, ever — a trajectory expected to accelerate when Trump returns to the White House.
Speaking about the COP29 held in Baku, human rights defender and political analyst Dr. Ahmad Shahidov said that they expects high results from the discussions in Azerbaijan and that all mankind should fight together against the consequences of climate change.