In brief
A secret recording of Elnur Soltanov, the chief executive of Azerbaijan's COP29 climate conference, has raised serious ethical questions as he was filmed discussing potential fossil fuel deals, contrary to COP's environmental objectives.
In a recent exposé by the BBC, Elnur Soltanov, who serves both as the head of Azerbaijan's COP29 team and the deputy energy minister, has been filmed engaging in conversations that suggest he is leveraging his position to promote oil and gas investments. During a covertly recorded meeting with a person posing as an investor, he discussed Azerbaijan's state energy company, Socar, and encouraged the potential investor to consider opportunities related to the nation’s gas fields.Soltanov stated, “We have a lot of gas fields that are to be developed,” while also mentioning that Azerbaijan’s doors remain open to any company, including those in the oil and gas sector, wishing to present solutions. He acknowledged the tension between his role at COP29—an event that ideally focuses on reducing fossil fuel dependency—and the realities of continuing oil and gas exploration.In the past, the former head of the UN climate negotiations expressed strong disapproval, labeling Soltanov’s actions as a “betrayal” of COP’s mission. With Azerbaijan’s economy heavily reliant on fossil fuels, accounting for around half of its total economy and over 90% of exports according to US data, these discussions are particularly sensitive. Notably concerning is that this incident follows a pattern, as it marks the second year in a row that allegations of misconduct have emerged against the hosting government of a COP conference. Previous reports had suggested that the UAE, host of COP28, aimed to secure oil and gas deals during the climate talks, complicating the messaging around global commitments to transition away from fossil fuels.As COP29 is set to begin in Baku, critics including Christiana Figueres, a key figure behind the Paris Agreement, have condemned Soltanov’s behavior as “contrary and egregious” to COP's intended purpose. The United Nations has clarified that its standards of conduct for the COP officials aim to maintain impartiality and ensure that personal interests don’t interfere with their responsibilities.Despite multiple requests for comments from Azerbaijan’s COP29 team and Socar, there has been silence regarding the reported findings. This lack of transparency may further exacerbate concerns about the integrity of global climate negotiations and the intentions of those overseeing them. As Baku prepares to host the 29th UN climate summit, the revelations heighten the stakes for all parties involved in the urgent pursuit of addressing climate change.
