Afghanistan's Taliban regime, after years of attempting to gain access to major international forums, is set to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly referred to as COP29. This marks the first time officials from the Taliban-led government will participate, as the conference is set to kick off on November 11, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Despite the significant political turmoil surrounding their leadership, the Taliban has sought ways to engage with the global community, particularly over environmental issues, which they claim transcend political disagreements.
The Afghan Foreign Ministry confirmed the Taliban's participation, emphasizing its significance, especially considering Afghanistan's dire climate predicament. The country is frequently documented as one of the most vulnerable nations to climate change. This status is characterized by severe droughts, recurrent flash floods, and increasing food insecurity as agriculture, the backbone of its economy, faces massive disruptions due to climate extremes.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry, announced the arrival of the Afghan delegation, stating, "A delegation of the Afghan government will be present at COP29 to take part as observers." This phrasing reflects the Taliban's intent to engage with the international community, even though they are constrained by their lack of recognized governmental status and their enforced political isolation.
Significantly, their presence at COP29 was facilitated by Azerbaijan, which, whilst not recognizing the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, extended invitations allowing its officials to participate as observers. This arrangement permits them to engage indirectly with other nations and entities at the conference, strengthen dialogues about environmental issues, and showcase Afghanistan's needs and challenges concerning climate change.
Over the past years, Afghanistan has faced numerous climate-related challenges. Following decades of conflict, the already fragile nation is exacerbated by climate threats. According to reports, Afghanistan is now experiencing one of its worst droughts, affecting approximately 75% of the country's population. The persistent cycles of drought and then excessive rainfall have led to devastating flash floods, which have swept away homes and put lives at risk, particularly affecting remote rural communities.
Climate experts have pointed out the devastating effects this has had not only on food production but also on the social fabric of Afghanistan. For many Afghans, especially subsistence farmers, the changing environment poses existential threats. Hayatullah Mashwani, an environmental science professor at Kabul University, emphasized the need for dialogue on climate issues, stating, "Climate change has resulted in increased temperatures, which exacerbates the challenges faced by our agricultural sector. This has severe ramifications on food security and overall livelihoods."
Despite the dire circumstances back home, the Taliban’s representatives assert their approach to climate issues should not be overshadowed by their political suppression. Zainulabedin Abid, deputy head of Afghanistan's National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), conveyed the sentiment efficiently: "We urge the international community to view climate change as the humanitarian issue it is, separating it from the political disputes surrounding our governance. We ask for collaboration, not condemnation." This perspective marks a noticeable shift for the Taliban, focusing on international cooperation rather than confrontation.
It should also be noted, as experts cited by various agencies pointed out, any participation from the Taliban at COP29 is strictly limited to peripheral discussions. They will not be holding the typical status awarded to full-member state representatives, nor will they partake in official negotiations. The intense scrutiny surrounding their international engagement keeps the spotlight on their notorious human rights record, particularly concerning the treatment of women and girls within the country.
International attention has been drawn to the Taliban’s past and present handling of rights. Since the Taliban regained control, the regime has restored restrictive policies against women, limiting them from education and employment. This has provoked widespread criticism globally, creating incessant tension between humanitarian needs and political governance.
Keith B. Johnson, climate analyst and head of the Global Climate Shift group, commented on the rising expectations surrounding the Afghan delegation’s participation, stating, "Even if their attendance is muted, the very act of coming to COP29 poses significant public relations opportunities for the Taliban. If they can engage positively with the international community on climate change, it may reshape perceptions around their governance—at least on environmental issues."
Indeed, this COP29 conference continues to be shadowed by various international political dynamics, particularly with the looming influence of figures like US President Donald Trump, who has indicated intentions to dismantle existing environmental agreements inherited from predecessors. Such geopolitical undercurrents may contribute to the complexity of discussions and negotiations at the conference.
The situation for Afghanistan remains precarious, with assessments indicating it is the sixth most vulnerable country to climate impacts. Save the Children earlier reported how over half the Afghan population could potentially face severe or catastrophic drought conditions. Post-Taliban takeover, the country has seen enhanced aid needs exacerbated by climate crises, with many citizens facing starvation and homelessness due to informal settlements following natural disasters.
The overarching narrative captures the immense struggles faced not only by the Taliban’s inability to gain recognition but also highlights the stark realities of living within such harsh environmental conditions. With Afghanistan’s participation at COP29, observers look forward to seeing whether the Taliban can sustain dialogue over pressing climate-related priorities, balancing the humanitarian aspects against their contentious political background.
Looking forward, COP29 running from November 11 to November 22 provides not only Afghanistan but also the international community at large with opportunities to push sustainable programs and policies. For Afghanistan, it’s about raising visibility on the international climate agenda, pressing concerns on climate challenges, rather than solely focusing on its fraught governance issues. The question remains: can the Taliban translate dialogue on climate change issues effectively amid complex international perceptions and their present political isolation? Only time will tell.
