Russian expert: Armenian leadership made narrow-minded decision to boycott COP29

Igor Korotchenko, Director General of the Caspian Institute for Strategic Studies in Russia, has labelled Armenia's refusal to participate in the UN international climate summit COP29, currently taking place in Baku, as a political manoeuvre with no substantial reasoning behind it.

Korotchenko criticised Armenia's decision to boycott the summit, noting that while hundreds of global leaders and major delegations gathered in Azerbaijan to discuss pressing global issues, Yerevan chose to ignore the event, Caliber.Az reports.

«Armenia could have held a series of bilateral meetings on the margins of COP29 to advance peace treaty negotiations with Azerbaijan, as well as engage in discussions on global climate challenges that affect all nations, including Armenia», Korotchenko remarked.

He attributed the decision to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's personal political stance, arguing that it undermines Armenia’s interests.

«This choice reflects the narrow-mindedness and immaturity of Armenia's current political leadership», Korotchenko added.

The expert’s comments highlight the missed opportunities for diplomatic engagement and cooperation that Armenia's absence at COP29 represents, especially at a time when climate action and international collaboration are at the forefront of global discussions.