Women Added to Azerbaijan's COP29 Committee Following Criticism

South Caucasusian nation, Azerbaijan has announced the addition of women to its COP29 Committee. The country had earlier received flak from other nations owing to its appointment of all-male committee for organizing the upcoming UN climate summit, COP2. The event is slated to be held in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku in November.

Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan made public the addition of 12 women to the 28-member committee. Earlier on the same day, 75 business and academic women leaders had sent a letter to the President, asking him to rethink and make sure that “the best minds come together to advance solutions” at the COP29 event.

The letter read, “The absence or underrepresentation of women in the top team organising COP29 can only serve to diminish the progress we need from these climate talks.”

The letter was signed by various women of repute including members of SHE Changes Climate. The group had earlier in the week come out against Azerbaijan’s earlier decision to not have any women in the COP29 Committee.

Women have historically been underrepresented at the UN climate summit. Over the years only 5 females have served as presidents, leading the event.

Azerbaijan is already under pressure for its heavy reliance on fossil fuels and the connections