Afghanistan Excluded from COP30 Climate Summit Despite High Vulnerability

Afghanistan has not been invited to the ongoing COP30 international climate summit in Brazil, despite its extreme vulnerability to climate change, according to the Taliban-controlled National Environmental Protection Agency.

In a statement, the agency emphasized that Afghanistan is among the six countries most severely affected by the climate crisis, yet has been excluded from participating in this major global conference. The agency noted that Afghans are facing dire challenges such as prolonged droughts, increased flooding, glacial melt, declining agricultural yields, landslides, and a migration crisis driven by the destruction of livelihoods.

The statement added that preparations had been made in coordination with both domestic and international organizations to facilitate Afghanistan’s participation. However, the lack of an official invitation from the United Nations prevented the Taliban administration’s delegation from attending. The agency condemned this exclusion as “contrary to climate justice, international cooperation, and human solidarity.”

It is worth noting that since the Taliban’s return to power, the regime has ignored or violated many of the previous government’s commitments under international environmental treaties. The Taliban administration, which is recognized only by Russia, remains largely isolated on the global stage and has often been excluded from official and high-level international gatherings, including United Nations events.