Climate Change Hits Home: Taliban Requests Aid at UN Talks

The Taliban-led Afghan government recently made its first appearance at the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, marking its debut at UN climate talks since taking control. Afghanistan's National Environmental Protection Agency director general, Matiul Haq Khalis, led the delegation, which was invited by Azerbaijan's ecology minister.

Khalis highlighted Afghanistan's severe climate vulnerabilities, noting that 95% of the population faces hardship due to climate impacts, and average life expectancy has dropped in the last five years. Food insecurity is another critical issue, with 15.8 million people in crisis-level hunger in 2024.

The Taliban’s attendance stirred controversy over their human rights record, especially restrictions on women’s rights. Since taking power in August 2021, they have issued over 40 decrees limiting women’s freedoms, such as barring girls from education and prohibiting women from NGO work.

Khalis asserted that climate projects would also bring benefits to women, though the global community remains split on how to engage with the Taliban—some push for ongoing support, while others urge pressure to encourage human rights reforms.