By Karine Avagyan

From November 11 to November 22, Azerbaijan is hosting the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP29.

The hosting of this important international event in Baku became possible when, on December 7, 2023, Armenia expressed its support for Azerbaijan's candidacy, and Azerbaijan released some of its illegally held Armenian prisoners. According to certain expert assessments, Armenia had the opportunity, before providing its consent, to demand the release of all Armenian prisoners and hostages illegally held in Baku, including Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] figures, and Azerbaijan would have had to release them for the sake of hosting such a major international event. However, this unfortunately did not happen, and now, the eloquent and flowery speeches will be delivered before an international presence in the same city in which Armenian prisoners and hostages are being kept and tortured a few hundred meters away.

Why is COP29 important for Azerbaijan?

In recent months, the international press has been flooded with articles questioning the propriety of hosting COP29 in this troubled authoritarian country. Even the huge amount of money spent by Azerbaijan on international public relations does not salvage the situation. Journalists and analysts note that by hosting this prestigious event, Azerbaijan is trying to "greenwash" its image, legitimize the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh Armenians and its flagrant violations of human rights, and demonstrate that it supposedly meets the standards expected of a country hosting such an event. Many people reference Freedom House’s annual "Freedom in the World” report, in which Azerbaijan received only seven points out of 100.

No less remarkable was the investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, which revealed the connections between the close circle of the Azerbaijani president’s family and the official partners of this Summit. Moreover, the periodical considers Azerbaijan the most dictatorial country to ever host the COP.

Who is not participating?

The many publications in the international press and reports of international human rights organizations did not go unnoticed. The leaders of the world’s major countries have not confirmed their participation in COP29 for various reasons. The leaders of several G20 members — the United States, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Australia — the leadership of the European Union, and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will not participate in this important event. There is still no confirmation regarding the participation of the president of the Russian Federation.

Instead, some of these leaders have asserted the importance of preparing for next year's COP30 in Brazil.

Thus, Azerbaijan’s expectation to organize a gathering of world leaders in Baku is far from the reality.

Azerbaijan's cynical statements and violations of COP principles

Statements made by Azerbaijan that COP29 will be the "peace COP" are considered by many international experts to be, at the very least, cynical. Azerbaijan is merely trying to create an impression among the international community that it is inclined to sign a peace treaty with Armenia, while it continues to threaten Armenia and set new conditions for signing the treaty.

Experts also point to the persecution of opponents of the regime, the ethnic cleansing of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, the illegal detention and torture of Armenian hostages, and corruption scandals. They consider that holding this UN event in such a country undermines the very authority of the UN itself.

Experts are convinced that climate issues and human rights issues are interconnected, and while the COP is considered a climate conference, human rights issues also remain paramount.

The principle of inclusivity, which is important for the COP, is also being violated. The Summit should be fully inclusive, including both country leaders and parliamentarians, representatives of civil society, businessmen, and activists. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has banned many people (for example, deputies from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) and activists from entering the country.

Armenia's participation

Azerbaijan has officially announced several times that it has invited Armenia to participate in COP29, "forgetting" that the Summit is a UN event to which all member states and all parties to the convention are automatically invited.

Armenia has not yet specified the extent of its participation. Recently, information appeared in the press claiming that Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan announced during a closed meeting of the Civil Contract faction that he will only leave for Baku on the condition that Azerbaijan returns prisoners to Armenia. However, his statement does not refer to the military-political leadership of Artsakh, but to the captured ordinary citizens.

Human rights defenders and experts consider it possible for Armenia to participate at the level of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, which can provide beneficial fodder for propaganda: first for Azerbaijan, and then for the Armenian authorities. Baku will return some prisoners of war, demonstrating its "humanity" to the world and saving face, while the Armenian authorities will consequently be able to justify their decision to travel to Baku and participate in COP29.