The 29th annual UN Climate Change Conference, COP29, is set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, in a week.

The head of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency recently met with the UN Special Representative and her delegation to discuss Afghanistan’s participation in the conference.

Officials also discussed Afghanistan’s environmental status, climate change mitigation efforts, and agreements.

Ruhullah Amin, head of Climate Change at the National Environmental Protection Agency, told TOLOnews: “We had a comprehensive discussion on Afghanistan’s vulnerability to climate impacts, strengthening cooperation to resume suspended projects, accessing new climate mechanisms, and Afghanistan’s participation in COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.”

Previously, UN Afghanistan Representative Roza Otunbayeva emphasized the importance of COP29, saying that it will pave the way for Afghanistan's participation in future global meetings.

According to a report by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Afghanistan ranks among the world's most climate-vulnerable countries. Afghanistan is fourth in crisis risk and 24th in vulnerability and readiness, per the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index.

The report notes that nearly 400 earthquakes, including a 6.3-magnitude quake in Herat in October 2023, have occurred over the past three years.

Economics expert Abdul Shakoor Hadawal, an economic expert, said: “The UN should implement measures to mitigate natural disasters so that, if they occur, damages remain minimal.”

Separately, the head of the Islamic Emirate's political office in Qatar, Suhail Shaheen, discussed humanitarian aid, health, and climate change with the Red Cross representative in Afghanistan.

Shaheen mentioned, “I spoke with the ICRC Head about humanitarian aid, the health sector, and constructing check dams.  Katharina Ritz said they would increase their activities and budget in Afghanistan as needed.”

Climate change in recent years has caused droughts and, in some areas, flooding, while earthquakes have affected many provinces and citizens across the country.