The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has commenced in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital. As the host nation, Azerbaijan is also looking to expand its fossil fuel production, positioning itself at the intersection of climate policy and energy expansion.

According to the Financial Times, Azerbaijan’s state oil and gas company SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic) is set to increase production of new fossil fuel sources during the COP29 summit. The summit, a key gathering on global climate change, underscores a paradox for Azerbaijan: pledging climate action while pursuing expanded oil and gas output.

A report by campaign group Global Witness, which analyzed data from independent consultancy Rystad Energy, estimates that 44% of SOCAR’s production will be new oil and gas by 2050—the second-highest proportion among national oil companies globally. This report examined production projections based on both developed and undeveloped fields as well as undiscovered fossil fuel reserves.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), new long-term oil and gas projects conflict with the goal of limiting the average global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels—the target set by the Paris Agreement. This expansion aligns Azerbaijan with Europe’s aim to diversify energy sources, especially given the EU’s push to replace Russian gas following the Ukraine conflict.

Meanwhile, SOCAR has increased production in recent years as Europe seeks to replace Russian natural gas with resources from other nations, including Azerbaijan. This has drawn criticism, particularly as Azerbaijan—through Muhtar Babayev, COP29 President and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources—continues to call for limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

At COP28 last year in Dubai, almost 200 nations committed to phasing out fossil fuels by mid-century. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan has signed multiple oil and gas deals since securing COP29 hosting rights, including SOCAR’s first international investment in upstream oil and gas—a $468 million stake in UAE gas projects.

“Azerbaijan is Europe’s strategic supplier of natural gas and is expanding capacity to meet European energy demands after the 2022 supply disruptions,” a COP29 spokesperson stated. Additionally, Azerbaijan is “expanding its renewable energy exports to serve the region and European markets,” he added. SOCAR did not respond to requests for comment.

Azerbaijan’s COP presidency has sparked criticism, echoing concerns raised during the UAE’s COP28 role. Richard Kinley, former executive secretary of the UN climate panel, expressed disappointment: “It is deeply disturbing that they can’t even seem to draw a ‘sanitary cordon’ around the COP presidency to prevent fossil fuel interests from undermining its purpose.”

Danish Climate Minister Lars Aagaard—attending COP29—remarked that Azerbaijan’s energy strategy also includes renewable energy initiatives, with Ørsted, a prominent wind energy company, present at the summit. However, European diplomats told the Financial Times that Azerbaijani officials have raised gas deal discussions alongside climate negotiations, mainly in relation to replacing Russian gas supplies transiting through Ukraine, with this contract ending soon.

According to Bloomberg, companies in Hungary and Slovakia are finalizing a deal with Azerbaijan to substitute gas from the Ukrainian pipeline. Energy analysts have cautioned that this agreement could mask continued Russian gas flows. Additionally, a recent report from Chatham House highlighted Azerbaijan’s strategy to secure long-term European gas supply agreements.

“By positioning itself at the heart of the multilateral climate process, the Azerbaijani government may seek to shape the global energy transition dialogue to ensure its oil and gas reserves remain profitable as long as possible,” the report suggests.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella’s recent visit to China marked an important milestone in Sino-Italian relations, with the Italian leader urging Chinese President Xi Jinping to leverage China’s influence to help end global conflicts, arguing that open markets are an “antidote to war.”

In an interview with the Chinese television station CGTN on Sunday, Mattarella spoke with He Yanke, host of the Leaders Talk program, and emphasized China’s potential role in promoting global peace.

Mattarella stated that he had encouraged Xi to help end ongoing conflicts, underscoring Beijing’s influence on the international stage.

“China is one of the key players in international relations,” Mattarella said, adding that during his three-day visit to Beijing, he hoped China would use its global position to uphold the principles of international law and peaceful coexistence.

In particular, Mattarella called for Beijing’s support in “ending Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity and taking the first steps toward a just peace based on the principles of the United Nations Charter.”

Encouraging Beijing to support a wwo-State solution in Palestine

The Italian President also addressed the Middle East crisis, decrying the “unacceptable wave of violence” devastating civilian populations.

“The war must stop immediately to find a solution to the enormous humanitarian crisis it is creating,” he said, expressing hope that China would “raise its voice to promote restraint and facilitate a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine among regional actors.”

On the economic front, Mattarella described open markets as “the antidote to war” and stated, “Every message promoting political, economic, and trade cooperation strengthens peace. Open markets and trade cooperation support social prosperity and are an alternative to conflict.”

Second high-level visit after Belt and Road withdrawal

Mattarella’s visit, which followed that of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in July, signaled a rebuilding of relations after recent tensions over Italy’s withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Mattarella reiterated the “exceptional” nature of Italy-China relations, noting that it was unusual for both an Italian president and prime minister to visit China in such a short time.

“This underscores the importance of Italy’s relations with China and the priority Italy places on developing these ties,” Mattarella said, describing the relationship as one of “friendship.”

Xi Jinping described the visit as a “new historical starting point.”

Xi warmly welcomed Mattarella, calling him “an old friend of the Chinese people and my good friend,” highlighting that their long-standing relationship, maintained through phone calls and letters, had fostered bilateral cooperation even in challenging times.

Xi called the visit a “new historic starting point” for Italy-China relations.

Their discussions also touched on China-EU tariffs and included a “non-ideological reflection on the need for a new world order” in response to rapid global changes.

“The world is undergoing great, intense, profound, and rapid changes,” Mattarella said, stressing that a “spirit of unity” is essential to confront these changes.

Ten cooperation agreements signed between Rome and Beijing

The visit concluded with the signing of ten cooperation agreements between Rome and Beijing, covering areas such as film production and competition regulations.

Speaking at a university in Beijing on Saturday, Mattarella also called on China to remove trade barriers for Italian products, noting that “China is Italy’s largest economic partner in Asia.”

During the conference, he emphasized the need for “a balanced relationship that includes the removal of barriers preventing high-quality Italian products from entering the Chinese market.”

Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, recently cleared his social media account of past criticism of President-elect Donald Trump as Canberra seeks to strengthen ties with Washington.

Rudd, a former Prime Minister of Australia, posted on X (formerly Twitter) in 2020 that Trump was “the most destructive president in history” and was “dragging America and democracy through the mud.” These posts, made while Rudd was president of the US-based non-profit Asia Society, recently disappeared from Elon Musk’s platform. Rudd assumed his role as US Ambassador in 2023.

His office issued a statement explaining that the removal was “out of respect for the office of the President of the United States.” The statement noted that the decision aimed to prevent any misconception that the comments reflected his views as Ambassador or, by extension, the stance of the Australian Government.

The removal of Rudd’s comments occurred amid international efforts by world leaders and diplomats to extend congratulations to Trump. When asked about Rudd’s past remarks in March, Trump labeled the former prime minister “nasty,” adding, “I don’t know much about him. If he’s hostile, he’s not going to be there long.”

On Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed support for Rudd, saying he had done a “great job.” Shortly after, Albanese spoke directly to Trump, congratulating him on his election victory. “We discussed the importance of the Australia-US alliance, including cooperation on security, AUKUS, trade, and investment,” Albanese wrote on X, adding, “I look forward to working together in the interests of both countries.”

Impact on Australia if Trump imposes tariffs on China

Trump’s election has sparked concerns about potential impacts on the Australian economy should the president-elect move forward with tariffs as high as 60% on China and between 10-20% on other nations. Experts warn this could be “catastrophic” for an economy closely tied to Chinese trade, potentially slowing global growth and heightening inflation.

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock and Deputy Governor Christopher Kent discussed possible consequences at a Senate hearing on Thursday. “Our initial assessment is that if he enacts moderate tariffs, such as the 10%, it may not have too much impact on us,” Bullock stated, “but if he takes more extreme measures, there could be significant repercussions.”

Kent, who oversees financial markets, warned that tariffs might strengthen the US dollar and reduce US demand for global goods. “The greatest concern is high tariffs on China, which could negatively affect Australia,” Kent added.

Following Trump’s election, US stocks rose as Wall Street reacted positively, while Australia’s ASX200 index initially fell on Thursday before rebounding in the afternoon.

AUKUS debate reignited

Trump’s victory has reignited debate over Australia’s defense ties with the US, especially the AUKUS submarine program. The Australian Greens party has renewed its call to abandon the program, citing concerns over alignment with US military strategy.

Jared Mondschein, research director at the Centre for United States Studies in Sydney, noted that the US and Australia had strong cooperation during Trump’s previous term, grounded in historical ties and a free trade agreement. Mondschein said he anticipates continuity in Australia-US defense relations and possibly a larger military budget under a Republican administration.

“Overall, I don’t expect significant changes in the direction of the Australian and US defense departments,” he concluded.