KABUL, Afghanistan — Despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, Afghanistan is among the 10 most climate-vulnerable countries, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The agency noted on X that Afghanistan accounts for just 0.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The statement comes as the United Nations climate change conference began Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan. OCHA urged attendees at the conference to take immediate steps to support communities affected by climate change.
The Taliban also sent a delegation, led by Matiul Haq Khalis, head of their Environmental Protection Agency, to attend the event. Speaking at Kabul International Airport before his departure, Khalis said, “Since the establishment and victory of the Islamic Emirate [Taliban], this is the first time we have been invited to such a conference. We will strive to participate in various forums and address the challenges Afghanistan faces due to its vulnerability to climate change.”
The two-day U.N.-hosted conference in Baku runs from Monday to Tuesday and features representatives from nearly 200 countries. While the U.N. has permitted the Taliban delegation’s participation, neither the organization nor the attending nations officially recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government.
The climate conference in Azerbaijan is part of the global effort to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time. This year’s event has drawn leaders and diplomats from around the world, although notable absences include representatives from the United States, China, France, and India.
