Taliban officials will attend a major UN climate summit in Azerbaijan next week, marking their first participation in global talks since they took control of Afghanistan in 2021.
The Afghan Foreign Ministry announced that representatives from the country’s environmental agency arrived in Baku for the COP29 summit, starting Monday.
This summit is one of the most high-profile events attended by Taliban officials since they assumed power.
The Taliban government remains unrecognised by the UN and most countries due to strict rules it has imposed on women’s rights and freedoms.
Azerbaijan, which reopened its embassy in Kabul earlier this year, is hosting the COP29 summit from November 11 to 22.
While diplomatic ties have resumed, Azerbaijan, like most countries, has not officially recognised the Taliban as Afghanistan’s government.
However, the host country has right to invite non-state delegations as observers, meaning they may join side discussions but cannot participate in the main proceedings.
Afghanistan is seen as one of the countries most at risk from climate change, facing severe floods and droughts that have devastated local communities.
This year alone, flash floods have claimed hundreds of lives and left farmers struggling with worsening food shortages.
The Taliban’s environmental agency has pushed for inclusion in climate talks, saying climate challenges should be addressed regardless of politics.
However, the UN has limited Taliban participation to talks specifically about Afghanistan’s future and governance.
