Argentine delegation abandons climate conference on Milei’s orders

The Argentine delegation abandoned the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP29), in Baku, Azerbaijan, under the command of ultra-rightist president Javier Milei, reinforcing its stance of skepticism in relation to climate change and its mitigation measures. Milei, who questions the veracity of the climate crisis and considers it part of a UN “ideological agenda”, called for the return of technicians sent by the Environment Secretariat to the country, avoiding greater Argentine participation in the summit.

The Milei government’s stance caused discomfort among representatives from other countries and NGOs present at the event. The Argentine delegation, made up of technicians and diplomats, presented a discreet profile and avoided direct discussions, acting “out of fear”, according to local sources. Although Argentina participated symbolically in the Southern Group and G77 + China negotiating groups, the lack of voice and engagement on the part of its representatives was noted.

Leaving COP29 comes at a strategic moment for Milei, who this week will meet with the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, who is also critical of climate policies and is considering withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement. Both leaders will speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, in a sign of political alignment that promises to intensify their skepticism regarding global sustainable development agendas.

Differences with the G20

In addition to COP29, Milei’s stance also impacted negotiations at the G20 summit, where the Argentine foreign ministry contested parts of the draft final statements. Argentine representatives pointed out opposition to commitments to the 2030 Agenda and the Pact for the Future, key UN initiatives specific to sustainable development. This stance promises to make it difficult to reach consensus on the G20’s final statements, according to sources close to the negotiations.

Diplomats from other countries, including Brazil, have been concerned about Milei’s “radicalism”. Sources told GLOBO columnist Renata Agostini that Argentina’s stance indicates the challenge of reconciling the G20’s final text, which should seek to “accommodate Argentina’s sensitivities” without compromising the global commitments signed by the group.

Controversial diplomacy and international responses

Milei’s provocative style, described as “sealing diplomacy” by a member of the Brazilian delegation, has generated reactions on the international scene. During the UN General Assembly, Milei had already declared that the organization seeks to “impose an ideological agenda” with unrealistic and outdated objectives. This view is reflected in his rejection of environmental policies, which he says “are false” and used to “raise funds to finance lazy socialists who write second-rate articles.”

With the withdrawal from COP29 and criticism of the G20, Milei highlights its distance from global environmental issues, further polarizing discussions in international forums and raising doubts about Argentina’s future role in multilateral commitments.

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with agency information