DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Subsequent yr’s COP29 local weather summit is about to happen in oil-rich Azerbaijan after Jap European international locations resolved a political impasse on Saturday.
Geopolitical tensions had left the 2024 convention in limbo for months, with Russia blocking EU international locations from internet hosting and feuding neighbors Armenia and Azerbaijan vetoing one another.
However after Armenia and Bulgaria formally withdrew their bids earlier this week, the 23-country Jap European group backed Azerbaijan throughout a gathering on Saturday, Bulgarian Atmosphere Minister Julian Popov informed POLITICO.
Earlier on Saturday, Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s minister of ecology and pure assets, stated in a speech that he was ”delighted” to announce that there was total consensus on Azerbaijan’s candidacy to host COP29.
“We’re very grateful to all international locations, specifically to the Jap European group and the host United Arab Emirates for his or her assist,” stated Babayev. ”We’re dedicated to working inclusively and collaboratively with everybody to make sure the success of COP29. Might COP28 lead us ahead towards a extra sustainable and safe future for all.”
Baku’s bid will nonetheless should be voted on by your entire COP plenary, however that’s normally a formality.
If confirmed, subsequent yr’s summit will as soon as once more happen in a significant oil- and gas-producing nation.
The UAE, host of this yr’s COP28, is the world’s seventh-largest oil producer. Fossil fuels make up greater than 90 p.c of Azerbaijan’s exports. And the host of the COP30 local weather talks in 2025, Brazil, has simply introduced it will be part of the OPEC+ oil cartel.