Azerbaijan Secures Hosting Rights for COP29 Climate Summit

Azerbaijan is expected to host the United Nations climate change summit in 2024, resolving a political standoff over which nation should host the talks. This decision makes Azerbaijan the third major oil and gas producer in a row to host the annual negotiations on tackling global warming. However, concerns have been raised about holding the conference in an authoritarian nation heavily reliant on oil and gas revenue. The selection of Azerbaijan as the host comes after a breakthrough agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, who had threatened to veto each other's bids. The uncertainty over the host country had hindered preparations for the conference, where countries are expected to submit updated plans to curb emissions.