Taliban Excluded from COP30 Despite Afghanistan's High Climate Vulnerability

The Taliban administration has expressed disappointment over not receiving an invitation to the COP30 climate conference, despite Afghanistan being among the most climate-vulnerable countries globally.

The 30th UN Climate Change Conference is scheduled to begin Monday, with representatives from numerous nations gathering in Brazil.

Afghanistan's National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) released a statement conveying "deep concern" about the country's exclusion from this important global climate forum.

At last year's COP29, the Taliban government, currently recognized only by Russia, was able to participate, but solely as a "guest" of Azerbaijan, the host country, rather than as an official negotiating party.

The Taliban leadership, which regained control in 2021, believes their diplomatic isolation should not prevent Afghanistan's participation in international climate discussions.

"The exclusion of the Afghan people from the right to participate in this conference contradicts the principles of climate justice, global cooperation, and human solidarity," the NEPA statement emphasized.

According to scientific assessments, Afghanistan contributes only about 0.06 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions yet remains highly susceptible to climate change effects.

Approximately 89 percent of Afghanistan's population relies on agriculture for survival, according to UN data.

"Between 2020 and 2025, Afghanistan experienced repeated droughts, severely impacting coping capacities and drastically reducing groundwater levels, in some cases by up to 30 metres," the UN reported in April.

As COP30 approaches, the UN has warned that 2025 is tracking to be among the hottest years in recorded history.