Azerbaijan wins regional backing to host COP29 climate summit
during the COP28 summit in Dubai, unblocking a geopolitical deadlock over the next global gathering to address climate change. Two sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters countries in the regional group formally backed Azerbaijan's bid in a meeting on Saturday afternoon. ALSO READ: COP28: OPEC's 'leaked letter' leaves France, Spain 'stunned' and 'disgusted' | Here's why "We're very grateful to all countries in particular to the Eastern European group and the [COP28 summit] host United Arab Emirates for their support," the country's ecology minister Mukhtar Babayev told the COP28 summit.
The decision on a host had been held up after Russia said it would veto any European Union country's bid to be the host. The EU has imposed sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. Azerbaijan is not an EU member.
ALSO READ: COP28: What is global stocktake, why is it important and what's India's position Baku's bid still needs formal approval from the nearly 200 countries present at the COP28 talks, but delegates said on Saturday they expect that vote to be a formality. UN climate summit hosts are usually announced years in advance, and the deadlock over the COP29 host has left Baku with scarce time to prepare for the massive gathering. Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada told Reuters on Friday Baku was well equipped to hold it, with enough venues and amenities.
ALSO READ: COP 28 Dubai summit begins today: A deep dive into India's role and challenges at climate summit This year's UN climate summit in the UAE was the biggest yet, with more than 110,000 delegates registered. Holding the presidency of a UN climate summit gives a country huge influence on its agenda and outcomes. Baku's
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