Natural disasters resulting from climate change escalate, and interest increases about events that mobilize efforts for saving the earth which is rapidly warming, most notably the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP), the 29th edition of which is being held this year in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku.
Unlike “COP 28” which was held last year in Dubai, and recorded an unprecedented attendance of more than 80 thousand people from all over the world, news continues about the names of prominent figures who decided not to participate in the new edition.
Empty promises
Papua New Guinea, a country in the South Pacific, has decided not to participate in “COP 29”, in protest at the slowness of major countries in supporting victims of climate change.
Justin Tkachenko, foreign minister of the island nation of more than 10 million people, explained his country's position, saying: "We can no longer accept inaction and empty promises while our people suffer the dreadful consequences of climate change," he said, describing the talks, in which Guinea will not participate, as "a complete waste of time," according to “Euronews” website.
A country surrounded with water is classified among the most fragile in confronting consequences of global warming. On top of those consequences is the elevation of sea level, but on the other hand it is considered a pivotal player in the efforts of confronting environmental risks.
According to the National Bank, 80% of land in Papua New Guinea is covered in forests, and it has the third biggest rainforest in the world.
But, the withdrawal action was not liked by everyone including the environmental activist “Finzelher Anjou Nin”. Her statements were published by “The Guardian” newspaper, saying that deciding not to attend will make them miss important opportunities for funds.
Mass absences
The current version of this year coincides with a rush of different events, which prompted many leaders of countries and international institutions to decide not to participate, and to send representatives on their behalf.
For example, European Commission President “Ursula von der Leyen” has decided to skip the Baku summit as she prepares to start her new term on the first of December. One of her spokesmen told “Euronews” that she will not attend to focus on her institutional duties.
Credit: AFP
And despite his long work journey in combating climate change, the King of Britain “Charles the third” is absent from the conference due to his cancer therapy according to “Sky News” network last October.
Outgoing US President “Joe Biden” is also absent from the “COP” for the second year in a row, and the US delegation will be led by his advisor for international climate policy, “John Podesta”.
The Russian President “Vladimir Putin” took the same decision and Moscow will be represented by Prime Minister “Mikhail Mishustin”, as the Russian-Ukrainian war continues.
French President “Emmanuel Macron” is also absent, amid speculation that the reason is the deterioration of relations between Paris and Baku against the backdrop of the latter's conflict with Armenia.
German “Chancellor Olaf Scholz” as well decided to be absent due to the political crisis that his country witnessed prior to the conference, with the collapse of the government following the disintegration of the ruling coalition, according to “Bloomberg” website.
Absent characters
It's not just political leaders, many important figures in the world of finance and business have decided not to participate, despite financing issues being at the top of this year's agenda.
Last October, “Financial Times” published a report expecting absence of many economic associations presidents. Amongst of them are “Bank of America”, the second largest bank in the USA, “Black Rock” company, which is the largest company for assets management in the world, “Deutsche Bank”, which is the largest private bank in Germany, and “Lloyds of London”, which is an insurance company and is considered one of the important institutions in terms of the green economy.
According to the newspaper, the reasons for these decisions varied between “logistical difficulties” and the economic institutions’ view that there were not enough opportunities to network with clients, compared to the “COP 28” version, in addition to the date of the new version, which is held a few days after the US elections, which received the most attention.
An official at an institution that the newspaper did not mention, who had not yet decided whether to attend, likened the event to a party that one should not attend unless all parties were present.
