"Ex-Oil Executive Mukhtar Babayev Appointed to Chair COP29 Climate Summit"

Mukhtar Babayev, a former oil and gas industry executive and current Azerbaijan’s ecology and natural resources minister, has been appointed as the president-in-waiting for the upcoming COP29 climate summit. Despite his oil background and Azerbaijan's heavy reliance on fossil fuel exports, Babayev has experience in environmental protection, including soil remediation efforts. His appointment has raised concerns about the commitment to phasing out fossil fuels, but UN climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell has expressed support for working with Babayev to ensure a successful COP29.