He labeled the accusations of human rights violations as part of a “coordinated campaign to discredit” Azerbaijan, insisting that such issues should not interfere with discussions on climate change.
In an interview with POLITICO, Hajiyev expressed outrage at the increasing criticism of Azerbaijan over the arrests of opposition figures and restrictions on independent media. He stressed that such criticism has nothing to do with the core agenda of COP29 and is part of “dirty propaganda” aimed at the country. “It is disgusting — we perceive this as hostile acts against Azerbaijan,” Hajiyev stated.
Hajiyev also emphasized that raising human rights issues at the climate summit is inappropriate and distracting. “Overloading the COP agenda with issues that have no direct and immediate relation to climate change not only doesn’t help but harms the process,” he added. In his view, such actions divert attention from pressing global problems that require joint scientific and political solutions.
These comments came shortly after Human Rights Watch published a report accusing Azerbaijan of harsh repression of dissent just weeks before the climate summit. The organization called on world leaders to use COP29 to pressure Azerbaijani authorities to release political prisoners.
However, according to Hajiyev, such efforts would be futile. He insists that instead of using the climate summit as a platform for political criticism, the international community should focus on addressing climate issues. “Climate change is based on science. There is no place for any ideology here,” Hajiyev stressed.
He also expressed confidence that Azerbaijan would play a crucial role at COP29, helping to unite nations and foster an agreement on new climate financing for developing countries. “The world is watching, and history will judge us on the outcomes,” Hajiyev said, adding that Azerbaijan aims to achieve a historic agreement — the “Baku Accord” — that could set new targets in the fight against climate change.
Thus, Hajiyev made it clear that any attempts to divert attention from the climate agenda will be viewed by Azerbaijan as harmful and irrelevant to the summit’s purpose.
