Støre's no-show at COP29: A blow to Norway's environmental reputation Expert insights

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has declined to participate in the COP29 summit, scheduled to take place in Baku this November. This decision raises questions, particularly because Norway is one of the world's largest oil and gas-producing countries. The involvement of such nations is crucial in addressing ecological and climate issues.

So what lies behind the Norwegian Prime Minister's refusal to participate in COP29? What is it about the climate summit in Baku that he finds unappealing? Caliber.Az addressed these questions to Azerbaijani MPs Parvana Valiyeva, Sevinj Fatalieva, as well as Azerbaijani political scientist and diplomat Fikrat Sadikhov.

According to Parvana Valiyeva, who is also a member of the COP29 Organizing Committee, participation on the summit's platform by heads of state is extremely important, as climate change affects all countries worldwide. Moreover, Norway itself faces numerous unresolved environmental issues.

"The Norwegian Prime Minister's refusal to participate in COP29 is likely a political decision. While COP provides a highly effective platform for discussions, Støre's distancing raises many questions and regrets. His unwillingness to join this global summit indicates that the Prime Minister is turning away from the opportunity to work for the future of the Earth and improve the ecology of his own country, as the most crucial decisions regarding climate change will be made at COP29. All participating states must reach a consensus agreement with one another; there are numerous pressing issues to discuss and vital decisions to be made for the sake of climate preservation. However, it seems that Støre is reluctant to engage in the formulation of these decisions.

"The political aspect also lies in the fact that certain circles that harbor negative sentiments towards Azerbaijan would like COP29 to fail; they have been working towards this goal. These forces do not want significant, historic decisions to be made at COP29 in Baku. This may also be one of the reasons why the Norwegian Prime Minister declined to visit Baku," suggested Valiyeva.

Meanwhile, MP Sevinc Fataliyeva noted that Azerbaijan is currently actively working on the international stage in connection with the upcoming COP29, having signed several documents in collaboration with various organizations.

“The goal is to hold COP29 at a high level and achieve solidarity within the international community in the fight against global climate change. However, it is evident that some countries and political figures are trying to evade responsibility regarding this globally significant issue,” she emphasized.

"The MP noted that if the information about Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre's refusal to participate in COP29 is officially confirmed, this decision will primarily damage Norway's own reputation.

“It is well known that Norway is one of the largest oil and gas producers in the world. Energy exports are a vital element of the kingdom's economy. Norway positions itself as a leading defender of the environment, yet this move contradicts that image,” Fataliyeva believes.

According to the MP, if Støre believes that this step will harm Azerbaijan's reputation, he is deeply mistaken. Despite being an oil and gas country, Azerbaijan pays special attention to addressing environmental issues and protecting the environment.

“Our country has never shied away from responsibility and has mobilized all its resources to minimize the negative impact of industrial activities on the environment, as well as to assist as many countries as possible in overcoming the adverse effects of climate change. Hosting COP29 in Baku is yet another contribution by Azerbaijan to addressing this urgent global problem. There is no doubt that Støre's decision is politically motivated. If it weren't, he would have considered participating in the high-level climate summit in Baku as his responsibility. Climate change is a global challenge faced by all nations. Therefore, it can be said that hosting COP29, the largest event in the world, is not a one-sided issue. The issue of climate change places immense work and responsibility on the international community and countries around the world.

There is no doubt that Azerbaijan, which has always been considered a reliable partner in the world, will once again fulfil its mission at a high level. The international community highly values our country's efforts in this direction. In such circumstances, attempts by some countries and politicians to politicize an environmental event that has been held for many years are destined to fail. In this sense, they will be the ones who lose. By refusing to participate in the climate summit, they will become targets of criticism from the global community.

In the face of escalating threats from climate change that demand collective action, international summits like COP29 must remain unpoliticized and focused on solving global problems. Political games should not overshadow the importance of cooperation in combating climate change, as the consequences of these changes affect every country, regardless of its political or economic interests.

Støre's refusal to participate in COP29 is an example of how geopolitical interests can take precedence over environmental priorities. However, such decisions undermine global efforts to save our planet. Genuine action against climate change requires solidarity, open dialogue, and joint efforts. Only when environmental issues cease to be bargaining chips in political games can the world effectively confront the challenges of global warming,' emphasized Fataliyeva.

The next commentary came from the diplomat Fikrat Sadikhov, who said there is a clear unwillingness on Støre's part to contribute to global environmental security.

"Norway is a major oil producer and also a producer of gas condensate. This constitutes a significant portion of the country’s budget, amounting to billions of dollars, which Norway apparently does not want to lose due to compliance with climate security norms. Some see a political undertone in this, but I believe the reason is quite prosaic.

Støre's blatant stance against COP29 indicates that the transition to green energy and new energy sources does not suit him today or in the future. However, this step seriously undermines the interests of many other countries that understand that pollution and climate security are challenges that must be addressed, and they are putting in considerable effort to tackle them. But Støre has chosen to evade responsibility," Sadikhov said.

By Khagan Isayev