In Afghanistan, a family huddles around a stove, seeking warmth and comfort amidst the harsh reality of droughts that have plagued the country for the past three years. This has earned Afghanistan the unfortunate title of one of the most vulnerable and ill-equipped nations in dealing with the effects of climate change. However, global efforts to address these issues have been put on hold since the Taliban took control of the country.
But amidst this turmoil, there is a glimmer of hope. For the first time since the Taliban takeover in 2021, a delegation from Afghanistan has been invited to the United Nations’ 29th Conference of Parties (COP), the signature climate conference. This invitation was issued by this year’s host nation, Azerbaijan, in accordance with U.N. protocol. While it is not a full invitation, as the U.N. does not recognize the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan due to their oppressive policies, the Afghan delegates from the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) will be present as observers.
The Taliban has expressed eagerness to participate in discussions on strengthening international cooperation in environmental protection and climate change, as stated in a press release prior to the U.N. event. This is a significant step, welcomed by Afghan climate scientists and activists, even those who are critical of the Taliban. As Assem Mayar, a water resources expert and former lecturer at Kabul Polytechnic University, puts it, “I consider it a very important move because it paves the path to negotiations with climate change funds, which have been halted for the past three years.”
Abdulhadi Achakzai, a climate activist with a Kabul-based environmental nonprofit who participated in the summit as an observer, also sees the Afghan delegates’ presence as a positive development. “Their participation initiates a trust-building effort between international stakeholders,” he says, emphasizing the importance of this in the fight against the climate crisis.
Afghanistan is one of the countries most severely affected by climate change, according to the U.N. Droughts and extreme temperatures have displaced hundreds of thousands of people in recent years. In 2019, Afghanistan was ranked sixth on the Global Climate Risk Index for countries most impacted by climate change. However, it is also among the least prepared to cope with these effects, according to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index. And with funding from international groups largely suspended due to sanctions against the Taliban’s restrictive policies, the capacity of Afghans to respond to these challenges has been greatly reduced.
In fact, Mayar estimates that climate adaptation projects worth $826 million have been suspended since the Taliban takeover. This further highlights the urgency of addressing the climate crisis in Afghanistan and the need for international support. The presence of NEPA delegates as observers at the U.N. conference may not be a full-fledged participation, but it is a step in the right direction. It sends a message of solidarity and cooperation, and hopefully, it will pave the way for future negotiations and actions to combat the climate crisis in Afghanistan.