Taliban joins UN Climate Summit for first time as Afghanistan faces escalating climate crisis

A Taliban-led delegation from Afghanistan arrived in Azerbaijan on Sunday to attend the UN Climate Change Conference, COP29, marking Afghanistan’s re-entry into global climate discussions since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

The delegation, led by Muti-ul-Haq Khalis, head of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency, is participating with observer status.

“Afghanistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, and we are experiencing severe consequences that require urgent action,” Khalis stated. “Our involvement in climate discussions is crucial, regardless of political issues, because the Afghan people suffer immensely from these disasters.” He underscored Afghanistan’s need for resources to tackle climate impacts amid rising global temperatures.

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The Taliban’s interest in joining climate talks comes as Afghanistan faces escalating climate-driven crises. Flash floods and prolonged droughts have devastated the region this year, with flash floods alone killing over 350 people, displacing thousands, and ravaging farmland. “We’re witnessing the impacts of a climate crisis that is beyond our capacity to handle alone,” Khalis said, adding that international cooperation on climate is essential to save Afghan lives and livelihoods.

Azerbaijan’s invitation grants the Taliban delegation access to side discussions and the chance to pursue bilateral meetings. A diplomatic source told Reuters, “They can participate in peripheral discussions, which may enable them to build some international relationships on shared environmental goals.”

However, the Taliban’s attendance has drawn criticism due to the regime’s restrictive policies on women’s rights, which remain a point of contention with the global community. Since seizing control, the Taliban have banned girls from schooling beyond sixth grade and restricted women from universities, drawing condemnation from human rights organizations worldwide.

“We cannot ignore the rights violations under Taliban rule, but Afghanistan’s climate crisis is a separate and urgent matter,” said a UN official, acknowledging the complexity of including Afghanistan in such talks. Despite objections, some officials argue that “climate knows no borders,” and addressing Afghanistan’s environmental needs could prevent further instability in the region.

The Taliban, however, maintain that their stance on women’s rights is “an internal matter aligned with our interpretation of Sharia law,” a spokesperson stated. “We ask the world to respect our sovereignty and not tie climate cooperation to other political issues.”

With COP29 ongoing, it remains to be seen whether the Taliban’s participation will lead to further engagement on climate initiatives or if Afghanistan’s environmental needs will gain attention despite political isolation. “Our nation is suffering from climate disasters,” Khalis stated. “Politics should not come at the cost of Afghan lives.”