Azerbaijani NGO reps keep rallying against pro-Armenian US congressman's COP29 attendance “Pallone, apologize or get out!” / PHOTO

For the second day, a protest action is underway in Baku against pro-Armenian US Congressman Frank Pallone, who is currently in Azerbaijan to attend the COP29 climate change conference. 

The demonstration, organized by Azerbaijani civil society representatives, is taking place in front of the Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard, where Pallone is staying, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Protesters are demanding an apology from Pallone for his alleged slanderous remarks against Azerbaijan and are calling for criminal proceedings against his security guards, who reportedly used violence against demonstrators during a peaceful rally on November 16. Banners with slogans like "Pallone, apologize or get out!" were displayed, reflecting public anger over Pallone's perceived anti-Azerbaijani stance.

This marks the second protest against Pallone in as many days. On November 16, a group of Azerbaijani NGOs staged a demonstration outside the same hotel, criticizing Pallone for his pro-Armenian lobbying efforts in the US Congress. Members of these NGOs, including families of those killed or missing in the conflict with Armenia, expressed outrage over Pallone's presence in Baku, insisting that an individual with such views should not be welcomed in Azerbaijan.

Congressman Pallone, known for his close ties to Armenian advocacy groups and fellow lawmakers like Adam Schiff and Bob Menendez, has long been a vocal critic of Azerbaijan. His participation in the COP29 conference, despite his controversial political stance, highlights Baku’s commitment to inclusivity and open dialogue on global issues, even with critical voices.

Pallone’s visit comes on the heels of a letter he led, signed by 60 pro-Armenian US lawmakers, urging the US State Department to hold Azerbaijan accountable for alleged “war crimes, hostage-taking, and illegal occupation of Armenian territory.”

Notably, COP29, held at Baku Stadium from November 11-22, marks Azerbaijan’s first time hosting a COP conference and its most significant international event to date. The summit began with the signing of key agreements between the Azerbaijani government and the UNFCCC Secretariat.

A core goal of COP29 is setting a New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. The presidency has introduced 14 initiatives aligning climate action with the UN SDGs, covering areas like green energy corridors, energy storage, climate resilience, clean hydrogen, and green digital tech. A flagship proposal is the Climate Finance Action Fund, aiming to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

President Ilham Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s commitment to climate action, with the country’s selection as host reflecting global trust in its climate leadership.

By Khagan Isayev