‘A total waste of time’: why Papua New Guinea pulled out of Cop29 and why climate advocates are worried

Papua New Guinea’s decision to pull out of an upcoming UN global climate summit due to frustration over “empty promises and inaction” has prompted concern from climate advocates, who fear the move will isolate the Pacific nation and put vital funding at risk.

Prime minister James Marape announced in August the country would not attend Cop29 in “protest at the big nations” for a lack of “quick support to victims of climate change”. Then last week, foreign affairs minister Justin Tckatchenko, confirmed Papua New Guinea would withdraw from high-level talks at the summit, whichbegins on 11 November in Baku, Azerbaijan, describing it as “a total waste of time”.

Leading Papua New Guinea climate advocate Duncan Gabi said the move risks isolating the country from critical discussions and will weaken its ability to seek financial and technical support for climate adaptation and mitigation.