Azerbaijan’s role as the host for COP29, the United Nations’ major climate summit, has come under intense scrutiny, as environmental activists, transparency groups, and political observers raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the country’s deep ties to the oil and gas industry. Azerbaijan, an oil-dependent nation with an authoritarian government, is increasingly being criticized for its involvement in organizing the event, which is supposed to be a platform for tackling global warming. The appointment of officials with strong links to the country’s state oil company, SOCAR, to key positions in the COP29 organizing committee has raised alarm over potential “greenwashing” efforts, where fossil fuel companies use the conference as an opportunity to project an environmentally-friendly image while continuing business as usual.

Azerbaijan, an oil-rich country in the South Caucasus, has long relied on its fossil fuel industry for economic growth and political leverage. President Ilham Aliyev, who has ruled the country since 2003, has publicly referred to Azerbaijan’s vast oil reserves as “a gift from God” and stated that the country has a “responsibility” to supply energy to European markets. This stance is in direct contradiction to the broader goals of the COP conference, which is intended to forge international agreements aimed at reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change.

Azerbaijan’s economic dependence on oil and gas exports has long shaped its foreign policy and internal governance. The country’s state oil company, SOCAR, plays a central role in the nation’s energy sector, and it has faced criticism for its alleged involvement in corruption scandals over the years. The company’s officials hold significant sway within the country’s political landscape, and many of these individuals now occupy influential positions within the COP29 organizing committee. This close relationship between the Azerbaijani government and its oil industry has led to fears that the summit will be used to enhance SOCAR’s reputation and facilitate new fossil fuel deals under the guise of climate action.

One of the most concerning aspects of Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 is the country’s lack of transparency, particularly with regard to corporate ownership and government accountability. Unlike many other nations, Azerbaijan does not require government officials to publicly disclose their financial holdings, making it nearly impossible to determine whether there are any conflicts of interest among those involved in organizing the event. Even information about the ownership of companies like SOCAR is kept under wraps, a situation made more difficult by the government’s recent decision to restrict access to key public databases, including the Ministry of Tax website, which previously allowed journalists and watchdog organizations to investigate company structures and transactions.

Transparency International and the Anti-Corruption Data Collective, two prominent watchdog organizations, have raised alarm over the influence of Azerbaijan’s oil sector on the COP29 conference. Their recent report argues that the lack of public accountability and the close ties between the Azerbaijani government and SOCAR officials raises the risk of “greenwashing.” According to the report, the COP29 organizing committee is populated by several individuals with direct connections to SOCAR, including Mukhtar Babayev, a former SOCAR executive who is now leading the climate talks as the head of the COP29 Presidency team. Other key figures include Elnur Soltanov, the deputy energy minister and COP29’s chief executive officer, who is also a member of SOCAR’s board, and Mikayil Jabbarov, Azerbaijan’s economy minister, who chairs SOCAR’s board. These individuals are not only in charge of organizing the event, but they also represent a company that stands to benefit from increased fossil fuel production.

The term “greenwashing” has become a focal point in discussions surrounding COP29. Greenwashing refers to the practice of companies, particularly those in polluting industries like oil and gas, portraying themselves as environmentally responsible to appeal to public opinion or regulatory bodies, while continuing to engage in practices that harm the environment. Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29, combined with the prominent roles given to SOCAR officials, raises the possibility that the conference could serve as a platform for the country to present itself as a climate leader, despite its ongoing reliance on fossil fuels.

In the lead-up to the conference, environmental groups have expressed their concerns about the potential for Azerbaijan to use the event as a public relations exercise. The country’s aggressive stance on expanding its oil and gas exports, coupled with its dependence on SOCAR, which has long been embroiled in corruption scandals, only deepens these worries. The involvement of key figures from SOCAR in the COP29 organization underscores fears that the event could be hijacked by corporate interests that undermine the very purpose of the summit: to accelerate global efforts to combat climate change.

Kate Watters, director of Crude Accountability, an environmental group, warned that the prominent presence of former and current SOCAR officials on the COP29 organizing committee could lead to a repeat of what occurred at last year’s COP28 in the United Arab Emirates. There, the head of the UAE’s national oil company was able to lobby foreign officials for oil and gas deals, despite being in charge of the climate summit. According to Watters, “COP29 could serve the same purpose for Azerbaijan’s fossil fuel industry,” with the summit offering opportunities for Azerbaijan to advance its interests while deflecting attention from its environmental record.

The criticisms of Azerbaijan hosting COP29 go beyond concerns about its oil industry ties. Human rights organizations have raised alarms over the authoritarian nature of the country’s regime and its crackdown on civil liberties. Under President Aliyev’s rule, Azerbaijan has been criticized for silencing dissent, repressing opposition, and curbing freedom of expression. Human rights groups, including Freedom House, have classified Azerbaijan as one of the most authoritarian states in Europe, with the Aliyev family maintaining control over the country’s political, economic, and media landscapes.

The government’s repression of civil society has been particularly concerning in the context of the COP29 summit, which is meant to address issues of global justice, including environmental justice and human rights. In the months leading up to the conference, Azerbaijani authorities arrested dozens of critics, including journalists and activists, while the State Security Service, accused of monitoring and intimidating activists, has played a central role in suppressing dissent. Amnesty International has called on governments attending COP29 to press the Azerbaijani regime to guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly throughout the conference.

The presence of individuals with ties to the State Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the COP29 organizing committee has sparked concerns that the event could be used to further stifle civil society and suppress dissenting voices. These concerns are exacerbated by the fact that Azerbaijan has a history of using major international events to burnish its image while maintaining tight control over its citizens. The regime’s use of the COP29 summit as a platform for showcasing its “green credentials” while simultaneously silencing critical voices could have a chilling effect on free speech and peaceful protest during the event.

Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 has sparked controversy on multiple fronts. Transparency advocates are calling attention to the country’s lack of accountability, while environmentalists fear that the summit will be hijacked by the fossil fuel industry in the guise of climate action. The significant involvement of SOCAR officials in organizing the conference raises the specter of greenwashing, as Azerbaijan seeks to bolster its international reputation while expanding its fossil fuel exports. Furthermore, the authoritarian nature of Azerbaijan’s government, coupled with its crackdown on civil society, casts a shadow over the summit’s goals of fostering global cooperation and justice on climate change.

As world leaders prepare to gather in Baku for COP29, the event will likely face increased scrutiny. The potential conflicts of interest and the country’s authoritarian record raise critical questions about the ability of such an event to remain impartial and effective in addressing the climate crisis. For those advocating for a just and inclusive approach to climate action, Azerbaijan’s role as the host of COP29 is a deeply problematic choice. Whether the conference can overcome these challenges and focus on meaningful solutions to the climate crisis remains to be seen.

Please follow Blitz on Google News Channel