On November 13, the Leaders' Summit of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on Climate Change took place in Baku as part of COP29, with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev delivering a keynote speech. The event, moderated by Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, focused on addressing the climate challenges faced by vulnerable small island nations.

In his opening remarks, President Aliyev welcomed the summit participants, reaffirming Azerbaijan's commitment to amplifying the voices of SIDS on global platforms. He urged developed nations, especially those with colonial histories, to step up and provide the financial and technical assistance necessary to help small island states tackle the existential threat posed by climate change. Aliyev drew parallels to Azerbaijan’s own climate challenges, citing issues like the declining water levels in the Caspian Sea and increasing instances of flooding. He emphasized Azerbaijan’s solidarity with SIDS through various initiatives, including disaster relief, food and water security programs, and educational scholarships.

Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s efforts under its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), noting that over 80 countries, including 20 small island nations, have benefited from financial and humanitarian aid. He emphasized progress on the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund, facilitated by the Baku Communique, to ensure that vulnerable nations have access to much-needed climate financing. As part of its commitment, Azerbaijan pledged $10 million to Commonwealth projects aimed at supporting small island states. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Commonwealth to leverage satellite data from Azerbaijan’s space agency, Azercosmos, for environmental monitoring in these regions.

In a sharp critique, Aliyev addressed the enduring impacts of colonialism on climate change, specifically targeting France and the Netherlands for their historical and ongoing treatment of territories in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. He condemned France’s nuclear testing in French Polynesia and Algeria, highlighting the long-term environmental and human rights damages caused by these activities. Aliyev argued that the legacies of colonial exploitation continue to manifest as environmental harm in the 21st century.

Turning his attention to contemporary political dynamics, Aliyev criticized French President Emmanuel Macron and European institutions for what he described as political hypocrisy. He called for the release of political prisoners in France and criticized comments made by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, urging European leaders to respect the sovereignty of other regions and refrain from imposing their standards on independent nations.

Aliyev’s address at the summit underscored Azerbaijan’s leadership role in advocating for equitable climate action, particularly for nations disproportionately affected by the consequences of colonialism and climate change.

In response to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's recent remarks criticizing France and the Netherlands for their colonial histories and environmental impacts, France's Ecological Transition Minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, announced her decision to abstain from attending the COP29 climate negotiations in Baku. Addressing the French Senate, she stated, "After discussion and in agreement with the president of the republic and the prime minister, I will not go to Baku next week," denouncing Aliyev's comments as "unacceptable" and "unjustifiable." Pannier-Runacher further accused Azerbaijan of “instrumentalizing the fight against climate change for its undignified personal agenda.”

The European Union also expressed strong disapproval. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell remarked, “These unacceptable statements risk undermining the conference’s vital climate objectives and the credibility of Azerbaijan’s COP29 presidency.”