Politics

European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, will not be attending COP29. The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) will be held in Baku from November 11. Without Emmanuel Macron or Joe Biden...

Given the global importance of the fight against climate change, and the EU's position as a leader in this fight, Ursula von der Leyen's decision not to attend the conference has drawn widespread criticism.

WWF climate expert, Shirley Matheson, said the absence of the EU representative raised “serious questions” about international and European commitment to tackling the climate crisis. “We cannot afford to see climate action slip back down the European agenda,” said Matheson.

On the European side, not everyone is of the same opinion. The vice-chairman of the European Parliament delegation to the Baku negotiations, Mohammed Chahim, described von der Leyen's absence as “regrettable”, but added that it did not mean a lack of commitment on the part of the EU. “The climate crisis isn't waiting for the ideal conditions to act, and neither are we. After Trump's re-election, the EU must now assume a stronger leadership role in order to maintain the momentum and counterbalance the American position," he declared.

The Commission, for its part, assured that the EU's leadership is manifested in “coherent action at national and international level (...) We have always been a leader in ambition within the COP and that will not change this year. ”

COP29, to be held from November 11 to 22, is expected to bring together over 40,000 delegates.

Other leaders will also be absent. French President, Emmanuel Macron, and US President, Joe Biden, will not be attending the climate summit either. Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has cancelled his attendance due to a head injury, Reuters reported. The leaders of Mexico, Australia, China and Japan will not be taking part in the discussions either.

(MH with Insaf A - Source : EcoWatch, The Guardian/Picture : Pexels)