Azerbaijani NGOs protest outside hotel against pro-Armenian US Congressman

A group of Azerbaijani non-governmental organisations (NGOs) staged a protest in front of the hotel where pro-Armenian US Congressman Frank Pallone was staying.

Pallone arrived in Baku to participate in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The protestors greeted him with banners bearing slogans such as "Go away!" and demanded that he must apologise for the offensive remarks made about the Azerbaijani people. 

Members of NGOs representing the families of those killed or missing stated that such an unwelcome guest has no place in Azerbaijan.

Congressman Pallone arrived in Baku to participate in the COP29 climate conference, underscoring the event's global significance and Azerbaijan's commitment to inclusive dialogue.

In a post on his social media platform X, Pallone reaffirmed his dedication to climate action, stating: “The United States must remain a leader in the global fight against the worsening climate crisis. More than ever, I look forward to attending the COP29 climate conference to demonstrate that America is still in this fight.”

Pallone, a prominent pro-Armenian advocate in the US, known for his close ties to Armenian lobbying groups alongside fellow lawmakers like Adam Schiff and Bob Menendez, has long been a vocal critic of Azerbaijan.

His participation in the COP29 conference, despite his political stance, highlights the event's inclusivity and Baku’s commitment to fostering open dialogue with all parties.

In a related context, before the start of COP29, Pallone led a group of 60 pro-Armenian US lawmakers in sending a letter to the US State Department, urging the US to hold Azerbaijan accountable for alleged “war crimes, hostage-taking, and the illegal occupation of Armenian territory.”

COP29, which is being held at Baku Stadium from November 11-22, is Azerbaijan’s most significant international event to date and the first time the country has hosted a COP conference. The summit kicked off with the signing of the Host Country Agreement and other key documents between the Azerbaijani government and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat.

One of the central goals of COP29 is the establishment of a New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. To further this aim, the COP29 presidency has introduced 14 key initiatives designed to integrate climate action with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These initiatives cover a broad spectrum of critical areas, including the development of green energy corridors, energy storage solutions, climate resilience strategies, clean hydrogen, methane reduction from organic waste, and the promotion of green digital technologies. A flagship proposal of the conference is the creation of the Climate Finance Action Fund, which is aimed at supporting efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Throughout the event, Azerbaijan has continued to reaffirm its strong commitment to addressing climate change and promoting environmental protection. The unanimous decision to select Azerbaijan as the host for COP29 reflects the global community’s trust in the country’s leadership on climate-related issues. In his opening remarks, President Ilham Aliyev underscored Azerbaijan’s central role in global climate efforts, emphasizing the nation’s dedication to tackling climate change and advancing sustainable development.

By Naila Huseynova