Taliban Led Delegations Attends UN Talks Amid Rising Environmental Crises

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• Nov 12, 2024 | Kabita Pathak

Afghanistan has come out to be the sixth most vulnerable country in the world when it comes to climate change…

Digital Desk: It was the first time for Afghanistan to be represented with a Taliban-led delegation at the United Nations climate talks, which is the first time Afghanistan has participated in a global event since the Taliban seized power in 2021. As air quality declined in Asia, mainly in Pakistan and Afghanistan during winter, the delegation landed in Baku, Azerbaijan on Monday. Although they are not considered the official government of Afghanistan, the Taliban has representatives to be an observers in the said f rum. Their objective is to mobilize support for climate change in Afghanistan which is one of the most climate-affected countries globally.

‘We need assistance,’ said Matuil Haq Khalis, head of Afghanistan’s environment protection agency, adding that Afghanistan is one of the countries most affected by climate change. Khalis described the environmental conditions of the country some of which included; bi-modal rainfall, long dry seasons, and regular flash floods. He said that Afghanistan has come out to be the sixth most vulnerable country in the world when it comes to climate change.

Scientists reveal the highly alarming fact that, within the scope of the last forty years, the intensity of extreme rainfall increased by 25 percent in the region at consideration, claiming many lives. This year, in May, more than 300 people died due to flash floods in the northern region of Afghanistan as an aftermath of excessive rain that hints at the rise in the
effects of climate change.

 In turn, Khalis said that Afghanistan has developed national strategies to tackle such issues and intends to revise its climate targets in the next several months. He also declared his willingness to engage in bilateral diplomacy with other countries like the United States to foster partnership and support Afghanistan to deal with its very severe environmental challenges.