World leaders are currently meeting at the United Nations annual climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. Notably, many prominent figures and powerful countries are absent from the event, marking a departure from previous climate talks that attracted significant attention.
The 2024 climate talks have been likened to the World Chess Federation finals, emphasizing strategy and intellect over star power. Unfortunately, the leaders of the 13 largest carbon dioxide-polluting countries, responsible for over 70% of 2023's heat-trapping gases, are not in attendance. Major polluters like China and the United States have opted not to send their top representatives, reflecting a lack of urgency and political will to address climate issues.
Among the nearly 50 leaders scheduled to speak at the conference, notable figures include Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. However, the absence of leaders from key nations, including the most populous countries, has raised concerns about the commitment to tackling climate change.
Despite the lack of participation from some major players, the conference is expected to feature strong representation from leaders of climate-vulnerable countries. Presidents from small island nations and numerous African countries are set to address the World Leaders’ Summit over the two-day event.
One striking observation from the conference is the diminished level of celebrity, as evidenced by the attention given to the emergency management minister of Azerbaijan as they navigated the meeting halls. This shift underscores the pressing need for global cooperation and decisive action to address the climate crisis.
Overall, the conference serves as a critical platform for world leaders to discuss climate challenges and collaborate on solutions, despite the notable absences and subdued star power.
