Taliban Delegation to Attend COP31 Climate Summit in Turkey as Observers

Taliban officials will attend the United Nations climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, as observers for the second time since the group regained control of Afghanistan. Rohullah Amin, who heads climate change efforts at the country's environment protection agency, confirmed the invitation to The Associated Press on Tuesday. The event, officially designated as COP31, begins next week in the Mediterranean city.

This marks the first appearance of the Afghan government at a global climate conference since the 2023 gathering in Baku, Azerbaijan. At that previous summit, Taliban representatives attended as observers for the first time after their return to power in 2021. A Turkish official, speaking under the condition of anonymity in accordance with government rules, corroborated the invitation for the upcoming Antalya session.

The participation status remains limited because the United Nations has not granted the Taliban the seat for Afghanistan at the General Assembly. Most UN member states do not formally recognize the current government, a stance driven partly by strict regulations on women's education and mobility. Consequently, leadership groups for UN climate conferences have postponed decisions on Afghanistan's official representation, effectively freezing Kabul out of policy negotiations.

Observers may participate in meetings and discussions, but they hold no formal voting power or role in shaping final agreements on climate goals. This status contrasts with full delegations that negotiate binding targets and financial commitments. The arrangement allows the Taliban to voice positions without conceding diplomatic recognition to their administration.

Afghanistan faces severe climate risks, including drought, water scarcity, extreme heat, and unpredictable flooding. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs describes the nation as one of the most vulnerable to these changes. Agricultural dependence means recurring dry spells directly impact food production, while climate events drive population displacement.

A report from the International Organization for Migration indicates that more than 1.6 million people left their homes between April and December of last year due to climate impacts. Kabul argues that its citizens require representation and access to international climate finance regardless of political disputes. Critics, however, maintain that inviting the Taliban implies a level of recognition the group has not earned.

Sayedmuhammad Sulimankhil, executive director of the Kabul-based nongovernmental organization Samsoor Watan, stated that the international community should provide climate financing to the population. He emphasized that the people, not the government, bear the consequences of environmental changes. Fawzia Koofi, a former lawmaker and women's rights activist who left the country after the Taliban takeover, criticized the participation. She noted that the group excludes women and children from many programs, questioning how they can represent half the population.