Argentina withdraws from COP29 climate summit after phone call with Donald Trump

Delegates to return home

By Samuel Ogunsona

Argentina’s delegation to the COP29 United Nations climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, has been ordered to withdraw from negotiations.

The delegates were asked to Azerbaijan immediately, citing instructions from the country’s foreign ministry.

This sudden move comes after President Javier Milei’s conversation with Donald Trump, who reportedly referred to Milei as his “favorite President”.

More than 80 Argentine representatives were participating in the two-week summit, focusing on climate finance for the energy transition.

However, Argentina’s far-right leader has previously dismissed the climate crisis as a “socialist lie” and threatened to withdraw from the Paris agreement during his election campaign.

Ana Lamas, Argentina’s undersecretary for the environment, confirmed the decision, stating, “It’s true. We have instructions from the ministry of foreign affairs to no longer participate. That’s all I can tell you”.

When asked if Argentina planned to leave the Paris agreement, Lamas clarified that the decision only applied to COP29.

The withdrawal has sparked concerns about the future of the climate accord, particularly after Donald Trump’s pledge to exit the agreement for the second time.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that a second US departure might “cripple” the global deal to limit heating to below 2C above preindustrial levels.

Climate change management specialist Carla Chavarria expressed concerns about Argentina’s decision, saying, “Argentina withdraws its delegation from COP29 in Baku, losing its voice in climate finance negotiations… weakening its future and its ability to adapt”.

Julieta Zelicovich, a professor of international relations, added that this move would hinder trade agreements with the EU and South America’s Mercosur bloc.

Milei’s administration has been rolling back environmental rules to drive economic growth, relaxing protections for forests and glaciers. The Citizens’ Association for Human Rights in Argentina described the withdrawal as “sad,” given Argentina’s previous leadership on climate issues.