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COP29 Chief Caught Promoting Fossil Fuel Deals
Secret recording exposes COP29 chief's promotion of fossil fuel deals, sparking outrage and raising concerns about the integrity of the climate summit.
English
United Kingdom
PoliticsClimate ChangeUkEnergy SecurityCorruptionControversyFossil Fuels
Cop29SocarGlobal WitnessBbcUnfccc
Elnur SoltanovChristiana Figueres
- What is the main accusation against Elnur Soltanov?
- Elnur Soltanov, the chief executive of Azerbaijan's COP29 team and deputy energy minister, was secretly recorded discussing potential fossil fuel deals with a supposed investor, showing a conflict of interest.
- How did Soltanov justify discussing fossil fuel deals in the context of COP29?
- Global Witness, a human rights organization, conducted an undercover operation that exposed Soltanov's actions, highlighting the potential for conflicts of interest in COP negotiations.
- What are the potential consequences of Soltanov's actions for the COP29 process?
- This incident follows similar allegations against the UAE's hosting of COP28, raising concerns about the integrity of the COP process and the influence of fossil fuel interests.
- What is the significance of previous allegations against the UAE's hosting of COP28?
- Christiana Figueres, a former head of the UN climate talks, condemned Soltanov's actions as a "betrayal" of the COP process, emphasizing the ethical breach of prioritizing fossil fuel deals over climate action.
- What organization conducted the undercover operation that exposed Soltanov's actions?
- The recording reveals Soltanov promoting investment opportunities in Azerbaijan's state oil and gas company, Socar, despite COP29's focus on transitioning away from fossil fuels.