Polish president skips group photo at climate change conference due to presence of Belarusian leader

Last year, Andrzej Duda also refused to pose for COP28 family photo in Dubai for same reason

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – The Polish president on Tuesday skipped an official group photo of leaders at the COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, due to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's presence on stage.

Andrzej Duda attended the official welcome but did not appear in a photo with the other leaders, according to unofficial sources who told the state-run Polish news agency (PAP) that the decision was driven by the presence of Lukashenko.

Last year, the Polish president refused to pose for the COP28 family photo in Dubai for the same reason.

Belarus is Russia’s chief ally in its ongoing war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, while Poland – a Soviet satellite state from 1952 until 1989 – in late 2022 declared Russia a “state sponsor of terrorism” over the war and other matters.

COP29 began in Baku on Monday, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, and activists to renew their commitment to addressing the world's intensifying climate crises.

This year’s conference promises an emphasis on actionable commitments and innovative funding mechanisms to drive global progress.

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