Afghanistan is seeking Azerbaijan’s support to help secure its official participation in the upcoming United Nations COP31 global climate change conference, scheduled to be held in Türkiye, as Kabul looks to strengthen its engagement on climate diplomacy and technical cooperation.
The Director General of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency, Matiulhaq Khalis, met with Ilham Mammadov, Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Afghanistan this week, where the two sides discussed climate change, participation in international conferences and the expansion of bilateral environmental cooperation, according to a statement issued by the agency.
Khalis urged Azerbaijan to coordinate with the Turkish government, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat and other relevant international bodies to pave the way for Afghanistan’s official participation in COP31. He stressed that Afghanistan’s presence at the conference is “a practical necessity” for addressing regional climate challenges, the statement said.
During the meeting, Khalis also thanked the Azerbaijani government for its diplomatic efforts during COP29, hosted by Azerbaijan in Baku in November 2024, noting that while Afghanistan was not formally invited, Baku’s support and cooperation were “commendable” and appreciated by the Afghan government.
The head of the National Environmental Protection Agency also called for deeper cooperation in technical areas such as environmental monitoring, air quality control, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and digital technologies. He further highlighted the need for collaboration on climate change adaptation projects, environmental awareness, and sustainable urban and rural planning.
The meeting also touched on the World Urban Forum, WUF13, which is scheduled to be hosted by Azerbaijan 17-22 May, 2026. Khalis said the agency has received an official invitation and expressed hope that Azerbaijan would facilitate the Afghan delegation’s participation, including support with visas, travel and logistical arrangements.
Ambassador Mammadov referred to the historical ties and friendly relations between the two countries, saying Azerbaijan understands Afghanistan’s environmental and climate challenges and aims to raise these issues in regional and international forums. He said Azerbaijan would work with relevant Turkish authorities, the UNFCCC secretariat and other institutions to explore possible avenues for Afghanistan’s participation in COP31 9-20 November, 2026 in Antalya.
Both sides agreed on the need to establish joint environmental working groups and a permanent coordination mechanism to ensure cooperation remains organised, practical and sustainable.
Nicaraguan indigenous leader and former lawmaker Brooklyn Rivera has died in state custody at the age of 73, according to local media reports citing h...
At least 46 people, including six children, have been killed in a powerful explosion at a building used to store mining explosives in northeastern Mya...
Thousands of residents blocked Austria’s Brenner motorway on Saturday (30 May), shutting down a major north-south transport route through the Alps i...
South Africa's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered an unexpected setback after the national team failed to depart for Mexico as sch...
Five people have died after a mine shaft collapsed during an illegal mining operation in southwestern China, state media reported on Sunday (31 May), ...
Nicaraguan indigenous leader and former lawmaker Brooklyn Rivera has died in state custody at the age of 73, according to local media reports citing his family.
At least 46 people, including six children, have been killed in a powerful explosion at a building used to store mining explosives in northeastern Myanmar, according to local media reports.
Thousands of residents blocked Austria’s Brenner motorway on Saturday (30 May), shutting down a major north-south transport route through the Alps in protest against persistent congestion from heavy truck traffic and tourism.
South Africa's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered an unexpected setback after the national team failed to depart for Mexico as scheduled on Sunday (31 May) because some players and officials had not yet received their visas.
U.S. rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, performed to a crowd of 118,000 people in Istanbul on Saturday night, marking his first concert in Europe in more than a decade, despite being barred from performing in several countries over past antisemitic remarks.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the longtime allies ahead of Armenia's parliamentary election on 7 June.
Donald Trump said he is “in no hurry” to reach a deal with Iran, insisting the U.S. is slowly getting what it wants. He warned military action remains an option if talks fail. Meanwhile, U.S. forces said they fired a missile at a vessel trying to breach Washington’s blockade of Iran.
On 28 May, the EU's foreign policy chief called for Russian troops to leave Georgia and Moldova. By the end of the same day, both Tbilisi and Moscow had dismissed her. The symmetry tells a story of its own.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the longtime allies ahead of Armenia's parliamentary election on 7 June.
At least 22 people have been killed - including children - and 35 others injured after a truck carrying Afghan returnees overturned in eastern Afghanistan, local officials say.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment