Mon Nov 11 23:40:09 UTC 2024: ## Greta Thunberg Protests Azerbaijan Hosting UN Climate Talks
**Tbilisi, Georgia –** Climate activist Greta Thunberg led a protest in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, denouncing Azerbaijan’s hosting of the annual United Nations climate talks, COP29. Thunberg and other activists argue that Azerbaijan’s repressive policies, human rights abuses, and continued reliance on oil and gas make it an inappropriate venue for a climate summit.
Thunberg specifically criticized Azerbaijan’s record on ethnic cleansing, suppression of civil society, and its use of the summit for “greenwashing” its actions. She called on the international community to reject the legitimacy of Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29, stating that it is “beyond absurd” to hold such a crucial event in an authoritarian petro state.
The protest comes as COP29 opened in Baku, Azerbaijan, a major oil producer. Azerbaijan has pledged to transition towards clean energy, but critics argue this is merely a strategy to increase oil and gas exports.
Thunberg’s protest underscores the growing concern that countries with poor environmental and human rights records are using international events to improve their image, while continuing harmful practices. The protest also highlights the urgency of climate action, as the world experiences record-breaking temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions.
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