Azerbaijan Gains Support to Host COP29 Climate Conference

Azerbaijan is expected to host the COP29 climate summit after reaching a deal with Armenia, gaining support from Russia and other countries in the U.N.'s eastern Europe regional group. The decision on the host has been deadlocked due to Russia's veto threat against any European Union country's bid. Azerbaijan's agreement with Armenia allows it to bid without an Armenian veto, and in return, Armenia gains membership in the eastern European group's COP bureau. The host decision needs unanimous support from the regional group. Diplomats are racing to find a deal before the end of the current COP28 summit in Dubai.