Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko criticizes climate change efforts as insufficient

BAKU, 12 November (BelTA) – The climate change efforts are insufficient, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the World Climate Summit in Baku, BelTA has learned.

"Many speakers spoke a lot about how much they did to improve the climate. But I am looking at the period after our previous summit and I see that things got worse. The war in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, the war in southern Yemen. All in all, there are more than 50 conflicts in the world that are badly affecting the climate on our planet. So, have things gotten better? Has anyone began to pay for emissions?" the head of state outlined the problem.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that those who were previously very concerned about the climate are absent from this conference. "Moreover, they are sabotaging it. It is even hard to imagine how things will be after the presidential election in the United States of America. The question arises as to whether such summits are effective," the Belarusian leader said. “Not long time ago the French president was very proud for the Paris Agreement. Where is the French president today? Is the climate change no longer relevant? This says a lot about the effectiveness of our work. So there is nothing to report yet."

Addressing those who chose not to attend the summit thinking that they will avoid the consequences of the climate change, Aleksandr Lukashenko warned: "They will not. A storm in the United States of America, recent disaster in Valencia [the floods]. People died. This shows how effective we are in 'improving' our climate."

"I am speaking frankly because there is nothing to reproach my country for in this regard. We are delivering on all our commitments," the head of state stressed.

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