Climate advocates urging world leaders to commit to a strong finance deal at Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday. Reuters
Climate advocates urging world leaders to commit to a strong finance deal at Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday. Reuters
Climate advocates urging world leaders to commit to a strong finance deal at Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday. Reuters
Climate advocates urging world leaders to commit to a strong finance deal at Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday. Reuters

Geopolitical tensions simmer as Cop29 heads into second week


John Dennehy
  • English
  • Arabic

Geopolitical tensions have rippled through Cop29, prompting climate campaigners to remind national leaders why they are in Baku.

Negotiations will resume on Monday – Sunday is a rest day – after the usually staid world of climate negotiations was rattled by a French minister cancelling her trip to the summit and Argentina withdrawing its delegation.

The French move came after Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev targeted France and the Netherlands over what he said was colonial rule. Mr Aliyev also used his speech during the World Climate Action Summit on Tuesday to criticise those who accused Azerbaijan of being a “petrostate”, and railed against the “hypocrisy” of the West.

Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, weighed in by stating on X that “these unacceptable statements risk to undermine the conference’s vital climate objectives”, prompting Hikmat Hajiyev, assistant to Azerbaijan’s president, to refute the remarks and state the “Cop process belongs to the UN and world”. He pledged that the Cop29 presidency would work constructively with all parties to deliver a good outcome.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, speaking at Cop29, criticised France and the Netherlands over what he described as colonial rule. Rafiq Maqbool / AP Photo
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, speaking at Cop29, criticised France and the Netherlands over what he described as colonial rule. Rafiq Maqbool / AP Photo

Argentina's decision was not fully explained but its president, Javier Milei, is a climate sceptic. Along with the election of Donald Trump as US president-elect just before the summit, it has made for an interesting first week in Baku where countries are grappling with the hardest topic of all: money.

Azerbaijan, hosting arguably the most prestigious global gathering in its history, is drawing on its experience leading the Non-Aligned Movement from 2019 to 2024 and ultimately trying to showcase its geopolitical influence outside the West.

“It has built relationships with fellow developing producers, but also the most climate-vulnerable of countries,” Ruth Townend, senior research fellow at the Environment and Society Centre at Chatham House, told The National. “It is not unusual for Cop hosts to want to keep their friends close at such events.”

World away from the West

The summit has shed light on the sometimes strange and surreal world of meetings of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. A delegation from the Taliban wandered the halls during the first week and Russia, despite being sanctioned in the West, was drawing people to its prominent pavilion in the UNFCCC-managed “blue zone” for talks and events such as one on the future of its coal industry and climate.

Cop28 ended with a historic decision to “transition away” from fossil fuels. However, during his speech at the leader’s summit, the Azerbaijani President said his country was an advocate for the green transition but called for people to be “realistic” about it.

“It is this reframing of the event which is of most concern, rather than the presidency's encouragement of allies to attend,” said Ms Townend, who wrote Azerbaijan’s climate leadership challenge: what’s at stake at Cop29 and beyond for the think tank.

Several protests at the venue over the past week called for countries to act faster. Is the geopolitical backdrop playing a role?

“No, no, there's no political division,” Evans Njewa, chairman of the Least Developed Countries 45-country bloc, told The National. “I think we're moving together.”

No consensus means no agreement

Cop29 has one main task – to deliver more funds to those who need it most to fund the green transition. Drafts of the negotiating text – which would unlock funds for vulnerable countries on the front lines of climate change – have so far gone through several iterations with countries remaining far apart.

High-profile absences such as US President Joe Biden and China’s President Xi Jinping do not help the talks, with the diplomatic point-scoring further complicating the already tough job. These meetings work by consensus.

“Cop29, with its focus on climate finance, needs the major economies who have the responsibility and potential to mobilise this, to be in the room,” said Ms Townend.

A mixed reaction has greeted the call on Friday for reform of the Cop in a letter to the United Nations from a group that included former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon. Negotiators from the small island states, for example, cautioned that they had a seat at the table at Cops – in contrast to the G20 which will meet in Brazil from November 18 to 19. The South American country also hosts Cop30 next year.

“We're not a part of those [G20] discussions,” said Michai Robertson, a negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States. “So it is extremely important for forums like the UNFCCC to continue to exist.”

Despite the absences and withdrawals however, this could not be described as a forgotten Cop. Figures supplied by the UNFCCC show about 65,000 people have registered to attend.

Cop29 summit in Azerbaijan – in pictures

  • Participants at the Cop29 venue in Baku, Azerbaijan. Reuters
    Participants at the Cop29 venue in Baku, Azerbaijan. Reuters
  • Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary in the German Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development, speaks in the Germany pavilion. Getty Images
    Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary in the German Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development, speaks in the Germany pavilion. Getty Images
  • Nuclear power activists demonstrate. AP
    Nuclear power activists demonstrate. AP
  • Activists hold a protest calling on developed nations to provide financing. Reuters
    Activists hold a protest calling on developed nations to provide financing. Reuters
  • An activist holds up a sign. Reuters
    An activist holds up a sign. Reuters
  • Conference participants arrive on day four. Getty Images
    Conference participants arrive on day four. Getty Images
  • Another protest. Reuters
    Another protest. Reuters
  • From left, Jorge Perez, Rolando Escobar, Miguel Vasquez and Esteban Cama at a session on Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon. AP
    From left, Jorge Perez, Rolando Escobar, Miguel Vasquez and Esteban Cama at a session on Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon. AP
  • President Sheikh Mohamed attends the World Leaders Climate Action Summit at Cop29, in Azerbaijan's capital Baku. UAE Presidential Court
    President Sheikh Mohamed attends the World Leaders Climate Action Summit at Cop29, in Azerbaijan's capital Baku. UAE Presidential Court
  • Sheikh Mohamed greets Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey. WAM
    Sheikh Mohamed greets Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey. WAM
  • British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Cop29. Bloomberg
    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Cop29. Bloomberg
  • Ding Xuexiang, China's first Vice Premier, at Cop29. Bloomberg
    Ding Xuexiang, China's first Vice Premier, at Cop29. Bloomberg
  • Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at a plenary session at Cop29. AP
    Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at a plenary session at Cop29. AP
  • Sudan's military leader Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, at Cop29. Bloomberg
    Sudan's military leader Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, at Cop29. Bloomberg
  • World leaders pose for a group photo at the Cop29 United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Baku, Azerbaijan. AP
    World leaders pose for a group photo at the Cop29 United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Baku, Azerbaijan. AP
  • Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, left, stands next to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Reuters
    Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, left, stands next to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Reuters
  • Antonio Guterres, UN secretary-general, addresses Cop29. Bloomberg
    Antonio Guterres, UN secretary-general, addresses Cop29. Bloomberg
  • Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev speaks during the Cop29 opening ceremony. Reuters
    Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev speaks during the Cop29 opening ceremony. Reuters
  • Rafael Grossi, director general of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), at Cop29. Bloomberg
    Rafael Grossi, director general of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), at Cop29. Bloomberg
  • Activists demonstrate for climate justice and a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, on day one of Cop29. AP
    Activists demonstrate for climate justice and a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, on day one of Cop29. AP
  • Cop28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber and Cop29 President Mukhtar Babayev at the official handover. AFP
    Cop28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber and Cop29 President Mukhtar Babayev at the official handover. AFP
  • Dr Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, delivers a speech during the opening of Cop29 in Baku. AFP
    Dr Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, delivers a speech during the opening of Cop29 in Baku. AFP
  • Mr Babayev speaks during the opening plenary session. AP
    Mr Babayev speaks during the opening plenary session. AP
  • An installation depicting a beached whale by the Belgian art collective Captain Boomer on an embankment in Baku. EPA
    An installation depicting a beached whale by the Belgian art collective Captain Boomer on an embankment in Baku. EPA
  • The Turkey Solidarity Centre pavilion. Bloomberg
    The Turkey Solidarity Centre pavilion. Bloomberg
  • Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, speaks during the opening ceremony. EPA
    Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, speaks during the opening ceremony. EPA
  • People begin arriving for the start of Cop29 in Baku. Bloomberg
    People begin arriving for the start of Cop29 in Baku. Bloomberg
  • Dr Al Jaber at Cop29 with Moroccan climate researcher Cherif El Khalil. AP
    Dr Al Jaber at Cop29 with Moroccan climate researcher Cherif El Khalil. AP
  • A mosaic adorns a wall at the Cop29 venue, Baku Stadium, in the capital of Azerbaijan. Bloomberg
    A mosaic adorns a wall at the Cop29 venue, Baku Stadium, in the capital of Azerbaijan. Bloomberg
  • A woman tries out a VR headset at the tourism booth as the Cop29 UN climate summit gets under way in Baku, Azerbaijan. AP
    A woman tries out a VR headset at the tourism booth as the Cop29 UN climate summit gets under way in Baku, Azerbaijan. AP

Defending the Paris deal

Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States, said they were here to “defend the Paris agreement” and ensure the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels was kept. Warming above this, scientists believe, could endanger the lives and livelihoods of countless people across the world.

This defence of previous goals rather than raising ambition to new ones has disappointed some climate campaigners. Zainab Bie, the Asia Pacific director of campaign group Equal Right, told The National that communities need to now lead the climate transition.

“We must seize this finance Cop as an opportunity to move beyond politics and focus on bold, people-centred solutions,” she said.

Hailey Campbell, co-executive director of the Care About Climate group, said Cop29 had gone from pushing for ambitious outcomes to “holding the line against backsliding”.

“Climate change doesn’t stop because of politics,” she said. “Parties must step back and remember we are here for a reason bigger than ourselves and our politics. We are here to tackle the greatest threat to our future and we need them to act like it.”

Results

STAGE

1 . Filippo Ganna (Ineos) - 0:13:56

2. Stefan Bissegger (Education-Nippo) - 0:00:14

3. Mikkel Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) - 0:00:21

4. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) - 0:00:24

5. Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) - 0:00:30

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) - 4:00:05

2. Joao Almeida (QuickStep) - 0:00:05

3. Mattia Cattaneo (QuickStep) - 0:00:18

4. Chris Harper (Jumbo-Visma) - 0:00:33

5. Adam Yates (Ineos) - 0:00:39

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

Naga
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMeshal%20Al%20Jaser%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EAdwa%20Bader%2C%20Yazeed%20Almajyul%2C%20Khalid%20Bin%20Shaddad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ENGLAND%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EFor%20Euro%202024%20qualifers%20away%20to%20Malta%20on%20June%2016%20and%20at%20home%20to%20North%20Macedonia%20on%20June%2019%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGoalkeepers%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Johnstone%2C%20Pickford%2C%20Ramsdale.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDefenders%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alexander-Arnold%2C%20Dunk%2C%20Guehi%2C%20Maguire%2C%20%20Mings%2C%20Shaw%2C%20Stones%2C%20Trippier%2C%20Walker.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMidfielders%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bellingham%2C%20Eze%2C%20Gallagher%2C%20Henderson%2C%20%20Maddison%2C%20Phillips%2C%20Rice.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EForwards%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFoden%2C%20Grealish%2C%20Kane%2C%20Rashford%2C%20Saka%2C%20Wilson.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
T20 World Cup Qualifier A, Muscat

Friday, February 18: 10am - Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm - Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain

Saturday, February 19: 10am - Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm - UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain

Monday, February 21: 10am - Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm - Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines

Tuesday, February 22: 2pm – semi-finals

Thursday, February 24: 2pm – final

UAE squad: Ahmed Raza (captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia

All matches to be streamed live on icc.tv

Ukraine%20exports
%3Cp%3EPresident%20Volodymyr%20Zelenskyy%20has%20overseen%20grain%20being%20loaded%20for%20export%20onto%20a%20Turkish%20ship%20following%20a%20deal%20with%20Russia%20brokered%20by%20the%20UN%20and%20Turkey.%3Cbr%3E%22The%20first%20vessel%2C%20the%20first%20ship%20is%20being%20loaded%20since%20the%20beginning%20of%20the%20war.%20This%20is%20a%20Turkish%20vessel%2C%22%20Zelensky%20said%2C%20adding%20exports%20could%20start%20in%20%22the%20coming%20days%22%20under%20the%20plan%20aimed%20at%20getting%20millions%20of%20tonnes%20of%20Ukrainian%20grain%20stranded%20by%20Russia's%20naval%20blockade%20to%20world%20markets.%3Cbr%3E%22Our%20side%20is%20fully%20prepared%2C%22%20he%20said.%20%22We%20sent%20all%20the%20signals%20to%20our%20partners%20--%20the%20UN%20and%20Turkey%2C%20and%20our%20military%20guarantees%20the%20security%20situation.%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

The Orwell Prize for Political Writing

Twelve books were longlisted for The Orwell Prize for Political Writing. The non-fiction works cover various themes from education, gender bias, and the environment to surveillance and political power. Some of the books that made it to the non-fiction longlist include: 

  • Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie
  • Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy
  • Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
  • Follow Me, Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims by Hussein Kesvani
  • Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS by Azadeh Moaveni
Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

The specs: 2018 Jeep Compass

Price, base: Dh100,000 (estimate)

Engine: 2.4L four-cylinder

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Power: 184bhp at 6,400rpm

Torque: 237Nm at 3,900rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.4L / 100km

Under-21 European Championship Final

Germany 1 Spain 0
Weiser (40')

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.6-litre%2C%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeight-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E285hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E353Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh159%2C900%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.

if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

THE SPECS

      

 

Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

Power: 110 horsepower 

 

Torque: 147Nm 

 

Price: From Dh59,700 

 

On sale: now  

 
THE RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m

Winner: Alnawar, Connor Beasley (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m

Winner: Raniah, Noel Garbutt, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 2,200m

Winner: Saarookh, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez

6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Rated Conditions Dh125,000 1,600m

Winner: RB Torch, Tadhg O’Shea, Eric Lemartinel

7pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh70,000 1,600m

Winner: MH Wari, Antonio Fresu, Elise Jeane

7.30pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m

Winner: Mailshot, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

 

UAE v IRELAND

All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi

1st ODI, Friday, January 8

2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10

3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12

4th ODI, Thursday, January 14

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Updated: November 18, 2024, 10:57 AM