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Afghanistan Seeks Climate Change Aid at UN Talks
Afghanistan seeks international aid to combat climate change impacts after attending UN climate talks for the first time since the Taliban takeover.
English
United States
PoliticsInternational RelationsHuman Rights ViolationsMiddle EastClimate ChangeEnvironmentDevelopment
United NationsTalibanAfghanistan's Environment Protection AgencyAssociated PressUniversity Of Cambridge
Matuil Haq KhalisJoanna DepledgeOlivia ZhangPeter DejongAleksandar Furtula
- What is the status of the Afghan delegation at the talks?
- The Afghan delegation has observer status at the talks due to the lack of official recognition of the Taliban government. Despite this, a climate historian from Cambridge University supports their participation in the global forum.
- Why did Afghanistan send a delegation to the UN climate talks?
- Afghanistan's delegation attended the UN climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the first time since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. They sought international support to address climate change impacts like erratic rainfall, droughts, and floods.
- What are some of the climate change impacts affecting Afghanistan?
- Afghanistan is ranked as the sixth most climate-vulnerable country globally, recently experiencing devastating flash floods that killed over 300 people in March. The country has national action plans to combat climate change and is updating its climate goals.
- What is the Afghan government's position on climate change's impact?
- Matuil Haq Khalis, head of Afghanistan's environment protection agency, emphasized that climate change impacts everyone and requires collective action. He requested bilateral talks with several countries, including the U.S.
- What are some of Afghanistan's needs and potential for addressing climate change?
- Afghanistan possesses significant potential for wind and solar power but needs international assistance for development. Khalis expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for inviting the Afghan delegation to the climate talks.