What's happened
As COP29 unfolds in Azerbaijan, youth activists express frustration over the lack of progress on climate action. With a backdrop of human rights concerns and limited participation, young leaders like Marinel Ubaldo and Fathimath Raaia Shareef highlight the urgent need for meaningful change in climate negotiations.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to AP News, youth activists like Marinel Ubaldo express a mix of hope and pessimism about COP29, stating, "I guess I’m very pessimistic, but I’m going to be positive that this COP could actually bring more clarity." Meanwhile, BBC News highlights the oppressive environment in Azerbaijan, noting that civil society groups have been sidelined, with Natalia Nozadze from Amnesty International stating, "We've seen a dramatic increase in arrests and clamp down on all issues that the government may perceive critical or contrary to its political agenda." This contrast illustrates the tension between the aspirations of youth activists and the realities of the political landscape at COP29.
How we got here
COP29 is taking place in Azerbaijan, a country criticized for its human rights record and suppression of dissent. Youth activists are increasingly vocal about their experiences with climate change and the challenges they face in advocating for action.
More on these topics
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Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, A
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Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization, headquartered in New York City, that conducts research and advocacy on human rights.