Mary Robinson, the esteemed Chair of the Elders, recently voiced her frustrations regarding the ongoing COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan. During her address, she pointed her finger at several nations, notably the Vatican, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, accusing them of hindering progress on a vital gender-focused climate action strategy.
Robinson didn’t hold back her disappointment about Azerbaijan’s selection as the host for this significant global conference. She claimed that an overwhelming presence of fossil fuel lobbyists is distorting the dialogue and expressed concern that the leadership of COP is faltering in its negotiations.
As COP29 nears what is expected to be its penultimate day, Robinson reflected on the mood among delegates, noting a sense of despondency stemming from the sluggish advancements in negotiations.
“If the leadership isn’t strong in a country hosting a COP, progress is bound to be minimal,” she remarked, emphasizing Azerbaijan’s shortcomings as a fitting venue for such crucial talks.
Adding to the urgency, she noted that UN Secretary-General António Guterres is en route back to the discussions, with hopes that his arrival might energize negotiators towards finalizing the imperative $1.3 trillion financial aid package for developing nations.
The discussions thus far in Baku have been pivotal, yet fraught with challenges. Robinson pointed to a recent Open Letter, authored by the Group of Rome, which highlighted the need for significant reform within the UN’s climate negotiation framework. While she clarified that the Elders weren’t responsible for the letter’s timing, she affirmed her support for the critical views it expressed.
“It’s disheartening to see progress on the Gender Action Plan seemingly regressing,” Robinson stated. “Issues like human rights and women’s rights are moving backwards, and that is indeed troubling.”
She spotlighted the detrimental role played by Saudi Arabia in the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that is stalling vital negotiations.
Despite her concerns, Robinson clung to a thread of optimism regarding the outcomes of COP29. “I recognize the considerable work being undertaken. Eamon Ryan is notably providing strong leadership,” she mentioned, expressing pride in his efforts.
To delve deeper, COP29 is now in a critical phase, with discussions centered on securing a climate financing deal that has remained elusive. Writers note that a freshly proposed draft for this deal has not managed to break a stalemate over financial commitments. As the clock ticks away, nations aspire to establish a financing target that supersedes the previously pledged $100 billion annually from wealthy nations to support poorer counterparts in combating climate challenges.
“Honestly, the current text is unacceptable in its present form,” stated EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra bluntly. “No forward-thinking nation would consider this nearly adequate.”
The expectation in Baku is that nearly 200 participating countries will rally around a new financing benchmark that aligns with global climate goals. Yet, many developing nations are advocating for a substantial $1.3 trillion commitment, primarily from government sources. The response from wealthier nations, however, has been tepid, with many suggesting that private investment must play a pivotal role in any solution.
The most recent draft acknowledged the necessity of an annual commitment of at least a vague “USD [X] trillion” from developed nations for developing countries. However, this ambiguity overfunding figures led Ali Mohamed, the chair of the African Group of Negotiators, to label this as the “elephant in the room.”
“This is the very reason we are gathered here, and yet we remain no closer to a solution. Developed countries must engage earnestly to address this issue,” stressed Mohamed, who also serves as Kenya’s climate envoy.
Critical discussions surrounding who should contribute and how these funds will be collected and distributed remain unresolved in a condensed 10-page document, raising further anxieties among many attendees.
Additionally, a number of nations have expressed their fears that the commitment to phase out fossil fuels, established during the previous COP28, is being sidelined in the current discussions in Baku.
On the other hand, Eamon Ryan, the Environment Minister, claimed that negotiations around climate finance are making strides, even if quietly. “It’s clear that this draft is far from its final iteration. I believe there’s still room for consensus,” he asserted.
However, the text continues to reflect the deep-rooted divisions between developed and developing nations that have persisted since COP29 began over a week ago. Developed countries are advocating for all forms of finance, both public and private, to be counted towards the proposed goals. Conversely, developing countries emphasize that funds should primarily come from affluent governments in the form of grants—money that won’t burden them with debt.
This complex, critical dialogue surrounding climate finance at COP29 illustrates the intricacies and urgent nature of global climate politics, underscoring the imperative for countries to come together for meaningful change.
Further insights and updates on this pressing matter are forthcoming.
This rewrite maintains the essence of the original content while enhancing its readability and flow, incorporating variations in sentence length and an engaging tone. It captures the critical commentary and background surrounding the COP29 climate talks, giving it a fresh context and human-like nuances.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
