**Afghanistan Seeks International Support on Climate Action at U.N. Talks**

BAKU, Azerbaijan - Afghanistan has sent a delegation to the United Nations climate talks for the first time since the Taliban regained control in 2021, aiming to secure assistance in addressing the impacts of global warming. At the summit in Baku, Matuil Haq Khalis, leader of Afghanistan's environment protection agency, highlighted the country's need for global support to manage severe weather conditions, including irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts, and rapid floods.

"All countries must unite to address the problem of climate change," Khalis stated through a translator during the discussions. Afghanistan has suffered significantly from climate change, ranking as the sixth most vulnerable nation in the world according to recent assessments by climate experts. As recently as March, intense rainfall in northern Afghanistan led to flash floods that claimed over 300 lives. Studies show that extreme rainfall in the country has intensified by 25% over the past four decades.

Khalis revealed that Afghanistan has drafted national action plans to confront climate change and intends to update its climate targets in the coming months. He emphasized the nation's potential for harnessing wind and solar energy, but noted the necessity of international investments to develop these resources.

Grateful to the Azerbaijani government for their invitation, the Afghan delegation will participate with observer status due to the Taliban's lack of official recognition. Joanna Depledge, a climate historian from the University of Cambridge, supported Afghanistan's involvement at the global forum, stressing that many politically contentious states also participate. "Where would we draw the line?" she questioned.

Discussing the U.N. report that women are disproportionately affected by climate impacts, Khalis pointed out that climate change knows no boundaries and affects everyone, including women, children, and animals, and thus requires collective efforts to be addressed.

Khalis expressed his willingness to engage in bilateral talks with various nations, including the United States, if their requests are accepted. "We were excluded from the past three conferences, but we are pleased to be present this time to convey the Afghan people's message to the international community," he remarked.

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