Argentine delegates at the COP29 United Nations climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, have been ordered to withdraw from negotiations and return home. The delegates participated in the first two days of the summit but were instructed to leave by the country's foreign ministry. Additionally, a group of delegates scheduled to travel to Baku on Wednesday were also told not to proceed with their trip.
The decision to recall the delegates has added to the existing tension surrounding the climate talks following the recent US presidential election. With President-elect Donald Trump's pledge to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, concerns about global climate action have heightened.
John Podesta, a senior White House adviser on clean energy, emphasized the urgency of ongoing climate efforts, noting the limited time left to address critical environmental issues.
Argentina's President Javier Milei has previously expressed skepticism towards climate change policies, criticizing global initiatives such as the UN-sponsored 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Milei's administration has implemented controversial measures, including budget cuts to public services and restrictions on abortion access.
Despite these domestic policies, Milei has maintained a pro-US stance and is set to attend a Conservative Political Action Conference in Florida. He aims to meet with President-elect Donald Trump and potentially attend Trump's inauguration in 2025.
As Argentina navigates its evolving political landscape, the implications of its climate stance and domestic reforms continue to shape the country's trajectory on both national and international fronts.
