Absenteeism Shadows COP29: A Chess-Like Climate Summit

The COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan are taking place without key world leaders, akin to a chess championship rather than a star-studded event. Major polluting countries' leaders are absent, highlighting a lack of political urgency. Focus remains on climate finance negotiations and transitioning from fossil fuels.

The COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, has opened to a noticeable absence of major global leaders, casting a shadow over proceedings likened to a strategic chess match rather than a star-filled global event. The absence of top leaders from major carbon-polluting nations, including the U.S., China, France, and India, has highlighted a glaring lack of urgency in addressing climate change.

One of the focal points of the summit is the urgent need for action in climate finance. Rich nations face pressure to assist developing countries in shifting away from fossil fuel dependency and to provide support against climate-induced harms. The G77 and China bloc has proposed a demand of $1.3 trillion in climate finance, emphasizing that such funds are an investment, not charity.

Meanwhile, with many notable leaders absent, countries like the UK have seized the opportunity to set ambitious climate targets, offering an emissions reduction goal of 81% by 2035. Island nations and African leaders also emphasized their vulnerability and the critical need for adaptation support, urging immediate action.

(With inputs from agencies.)