Poor Nations Walk Out of COP29 Talks

Delegates from small island states and least-developed countries walked out of COP29 consultations in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday, protesting the lack of attention to their financial concerns. The negotiations, led by COP29 President Azerbaijan, have faced criticism for sidelining the urgent needs of vulnerable nations.

“We’ve just walked out. We came here to this COP for a fair deal. We feel that we haven’t been heard,” stated Cedric Schuster, chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and a Samoan representative.

The walkout emphasizes long-standing frustrations over climate finance, with smaller nations demanding equitable funding to address the impacts of rising sea levels and extreme weather. This protest threatens to hinder progress on a comprehensive climate agreement, with the conference set to end next week.

The incident reflects a persistent divide between wealthy nations and those bearing the brunt of climate change, particularly on financial support for mitigation and adaptation.

As tensions escalate, COP29 faces urgent calls to rebuild trust and ensure inclusive discussions. The global community watches closely for updates as negotiators work to salvage the talks.