ISTANBUL

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday criticized measures to combat climate change as ineffective while addressing a leaders summit at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku.

“There has been a lot of talk here about who has done what to improve the climate. But I am comparing the last period after our previous summit. It has only gotten worse. The war in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, the war in southern Yemen. In total, there are more than 50 conflicts in the world that have a severe impact on the climate on our planet. So, has it gotten better? Who has started paying for emissions?” Lukashenko asked rhetorically.

He criticized leaders who were vocal about combating climate change but have not participated in COP29 and he went on to accuse those leaders of attempting to sabotage the conference.

He said they can only guess what will happen in the post-US presidential election period.

“Once upon a time, the president of France considered himself almost great for the Paris Agreement. Where is this president today? Has the issue lost its relevance?” Lukashenko asked as he expressed that those thinking they will not be affected by the issue and have not come to the summit are mistaken.

The Belarusian president went on to outline tasks leaders must address to fight climate change, including reconfiguring national economies based on current environmental conditions and helping developing countries gain equal access to green technologies without harming their national interests.

“These and other areas require the consolidation of international efforts. Not in words, but in deeds. It is time to move from words to deeds. And those who must pay, must pay, and not sit in their offices,” he added.