(LibertySociety.com) – The Taliban has demanded a formal role in future United Nations climate conferences following their participation in COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan. This marked the first time Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government attended the event since taking power in 2021.
Afghanistan was represented by Matiul Haq Khalis, head of the country’s National Environmental Protection Agency. Khalis described the delegation’s attendance as a “big achievement” and emphasized the importance of Afghanistan’s ongoing involvement in addressing global climate issues.
The Taliban has also expressed interest in accessing the $100 billion annual climate fund designed to help developing nations mitigate and adapt to climate change. Khalis highlighted the significant challenges facing Afghanistan, including environmental degradation and the dire needs of its population.
During COP29, the Afghan delegation met with representatives from 19 organizations and countries, including Russia, Qatar, Azerbaijan, and Bangladesh. These discussions reportedly centered on Afghanistan’s environmental challenges and the potential for international support.
The Taliban has long sought to position itself as a legitimate player on the global stage. In the past, its leaders have claimed the group could contribute to solving international issues, including climate change. Some narratives have controversially linked environmental stressors, such as water scarcity and drought, to Afghanistan’s instability, arguing that climate change indirectly fueled the Taliban’s rise.
However, the Taliban’s participation in global governance efforts remains deeply controversial. The regime’s strict enforcement of Sharia law, systemic human rights abuses, and exclusion of women from public life have drawn widespread condemnation. Critics argue that involving a group accused of terrorism in global discussions undermines the legitimacy of international institutions.
The Taliban’s bid for a formal role in climate talks highlights the tension between addressing global environmental crises and navigating the political realities of engaging with regimes that face significant human rights scrutiny. While Afghanistan’s environmental needs are undeniable, the question of how to involve its current government without legitimizing its broader actions remains a contentious issue.
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