For the second time in a row, a UN climate conference will be held this year, under the chairmanship of a representative of the oil industry. Azerbaijan named its environment minister and former top official at state energy company Socar, Mukhtar Babayev, as president of COP29 in Baku in November, a ministry official said yesterday.
Portal/Thomas Mukoya
Babayev worked in the external economic relations department of the state oil company Socar from 1994 to 2003. After switching to marketing, he was vice-president of the company's ecology department from 2007 to 2010. Babayev has been Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources since 2018.
The chairman of the UAE climate conference (COP28) last year, Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, was not only the Gulf state's industry minister but also the head of the state oil company Adnoc, which drew heavy criticism.
However, under his presidency, a historic agreement was reached that called for a “transition” away from fossil fuels for the first time.
On X (Twitter), the COP28 Presidency congratulated Babayev on his appointment. The former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan has gained international influence through its oil and gas sector. This represents about 90 percent of the country's export revenue.