"A senior official at COP29 climate change conference in Azerbaijan appears to have used his role to arrange a meeting to discuss potential fossil fuel deals, the BBC can report.
A secret recording shows the chief executive of Azerbaijan's COP29 team, Elnur Soltanov, discussing "investment opportunities" in the state oil and gas company with a man posing as a potential investor.
"We have a lot of gas fields that are to be developed," he says.
A former head of the UN body responsible for the climate talks told the BBC that Soltanov's actions were "completely unacceptable" and a "betrayal" of the COP process.
As well as being the chief executive of COP29, Soltanov is also the deputy energy minister of Azerbaijan and is on the board of Socar."
Justin Rowlatt reports for BBC News November 8, 2024.
SEE ALSO:
"Critics Say Approval Of ‘Climate Credits’ Rules On Day One Of Cop29 Was Rushed" (Guardian)
"UK COP29 ‘Partners’ Include Firm With Hundreds of Fossil Fuel Clients" (DeSmog)
"Meet Teneo: The Global PR Firm Promoting COP29 Host Azerbaijan as a Climate Champion" (DeSmog)
"EU Accused of Inviting Fossil Fuel Executives to COP28 Under False Pretences" (DeSmog)
Advertisement 
