Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev seems intent on channeling the spirit of former Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser as a role model for de-colonization and advocacy of small nations. In the run-up to the annual UN climate conference, COP29, to be hosted by Azerbaijan, Aliyev is taking up the cause of South Pacific island states threatened by rising sea levels.
It appears Aliyev hopes to use COP29, which will take place in November in Baku, as a springboard to prominence among the countries of the Global South in the broadest sense of the term. Such ambitions were on display in early June at Baku Energy Week. In his opening remarks, Aliyev quickly touted his government’s efforts to reduce poverty and build what he described as “an inclusive society.”
He then suddenly switched topics, announcing that Azerbaijan is “actively working with small island developing states,” and even planning to create a fund to support them.
Aliyev’s fixation on the South Pacific may have a connection to enmity between Azerbaijan and France. Baku has long bristled at France’s unwavering support for Armenia in the long-running Karabakh conflict. In May, France accused Aliyev’s administration of stirring up protests by pro-independence islanders in the French colony of New Caledonia.
Aliyev’s comments about an island fund caused a wave of derision from the social media commentariat in Azerbaijan. One Facebook user commented on the news sarcastically: “We solved every single problem inside the country, so we should now support island countries.”
Another, referring to the vast gulf between rich and poor in Azerbaijan, wrote: “It wouldn’t be too bad sometimes to think of our people, too.”
UN climate change conferences are annual meetings of government, energy industry representatives and other interested parties to discuss climate change and potential responses. The gathering in 2023 was hosted by the United Arab Emirates in Dubai.
Azerbaijan’s preparations for COP29 have faced criticism. Rights organizations have pointed to a far-reaching crackdown on free speech and an independent press inside the country. The government also sparked controversy when the initial composition of the country’s COP29 organizing committee comprised only men. Subsequently, 12 women were added to the committee.
