Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev defended his country’s oil and gas industry at the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29), criticising Western nations for their stance on fossil fuels, reported Reuters.
The COP29 summit, attended by nearly 200 nations, is focused on global climate action.
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Speaking at the summit, Aliyev described Azerbaijan as a victim of a “well-orchestrated campaign of slander and blackmail” against its energy sector.
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres countered Aliyev’s remarks, stating that doubling down on fossil fuels is an absurd strategy.
The opposing views highlight the ongoing tension between the push for green energy and the continued reliance on fossil fuels.
Azerbaijan’s Finance Ministry noted a decline in the share of oil and gas in the economy as the country diversifies.
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By GlobalDataAliyev stated: “As a president of COP29, we will be a strong advocate for green transition, and we are doing it – but at the same time, we must be realistic.”
Aliyev criticised the US and the EU for double standards, noting the US as the largest oil and gas producer and the EU’s strict emission targets alongside securing new gas supplies.
“Countries should not be blamed for having them and should not be blamed for bringing these resources to the market, because the market needs them. The people need them,” Aliyev added.
Observers of the summit were divided on Aliyev’s speech, with some viewing it as provocative.
Oil Change International global policy lead Romain Ioualalen commented: “Using a climate conference to promote the continued production and use of fossil fuels is provocative, and deeply disrespectful to the countries on the front line of climate impacts.”
The tension reflects mistrust between rich and developing countries, with climate activist Harjeet Singh saying: “Developed countries have not only neglected their historical duty to reduce emissions, they are doubling down on fossil fuel-driven growth.”
US National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi dismissed Aliyev’s remarks, stating that if every country decarbonised at the pace of the US, global climate targets would be met. The EU declined to comment on Aliyev’s speech.
The COP29 summit aims to raise hundreds of billions of dollars in climate finance for clean energy and adaptation.
Development lenders, including the World Bank, are under pressure to increase climate finance. On Tuesday, a group of ten major lenders revealed their joint plan to boost finance to low and middle-income countries to $120bn by 2030.
The summit continues amid climate-fuelled extreme weather events worldwide. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley stressed the importance of progress at COP29, stating: “Every COP must make progress, irrespective of the geopolitical dynamics.”
