The Taliban-led government of Afghanistan will participate in the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, marking the first time Afghanistan has taken part in a global climate summit since the Taliban regained power in 2021. Although Afghanistan has repeatedly attempted to attend past COP conferences, its participation has been blocked, as the Taliban lacks official international recognition.
Representatives from Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) will attend the summit in an observer capacity, rather than as full participants, according to diplomatic sources. The delegates may join side discussions and hold bilateral meetings but will not have standard credentials due to international reluctance to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate Afghan government. Concerns over human rights abuses, especially regarding women’s rights, and the Taliban’s return to power through military force have kept the group diplomatically isolated.
Afghanistan faces severe climate challenges, including chronic droughts and flash floods, making it one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. With much of the country reliant on subsistence farming, unpredictable weather patterns are worsening food insecurity. NEPA’s deputy head, Zainulabedin Abid, has urged the global community to consider climate issues separately from political conflicts, citing the humanitarian urgency of climate change.
The Taliban continue to seek greater international legitimacy, attending select UN-organized meetings and regional forums in recent years. While Afghanistan’s presence at COP29 may indicate potential openings for international cooperation on climate issues, the Taliban’s governance approach remains a key obstacle to broader acceptance on the world stage.