Climate Clash at COP29: Azerbaijan's Energy Defense Amid Global Tensions

At the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev rebuked Western critics of his nation's oil and gas sector, while U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres criticized reliance on fossil fuels. The event highlighted the global divide over energy transitions, as nations balance economic needs with climate goals.

The COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan has become a battleground of ideals, featuring a sharp clash between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres over fossil fuel dependence. Aliyev condemned the West's critique of Azerbaijan's oil and gas industry, calling it a campaign of 'slander' and 'blackmail.'

Guterres, on the other hand, highlighted the absurdity of reinforcing fossil fuel reliance amid the climate crisis, underscoring the summit's central challenge: transitioning from traditional energy sources while still depending on them economically. Azerbaijan claims it's diversifying, yet oil and gas remain considerable economic factors.

The summit also focused on securing climate finance, with development lenders pledging $120 billion in funding increases for low-income countries by 2030. With the year poised to be the hottest on record, leaders face mounting pressure for decisive climate action as extreme weather events, from wildfires to floods, underscore the urgency.

(With inputs from agencies.)