The world’s first oil well was built in Bibi-Heybat, Azerbaijan. This land has a deep history steeped in oil pipelines, fracking, and human right’s violations. Upon arrival the police presence paints a picture of a dystopian reality that many Azeris face daily. Lowly police officers are overshadowed by Azerbaijani soldiers in military gear proudly carrying AK-47’s, or as I refer to them stone faces. Police buses line the street’s ready to stomp down any direct action. Watchtowers stand above brick walls hiding the newly built homes for diplomats and once again, more oil wells. Those with observer badges to COP29 ride in fancy public buses, those with party badges sit comfortably as passengers in black tinted suv’s escorted by local police. Since the moment I arrived in Azerbaijan, I’ve been asking myself.

“Where are the working class Azerbaijani People?”

The bustling street markets with fruit stands cease to exist, I’ve yet to see an unhoused relative. I had the chance to speak to a few Azerbaijani locals who claim the President’s Ilham Aliyez’s aptitude to negotiate oil deals is a “Gift from God.” I have only heard one singular answer from the handful of locals I spoke to “We love the President”. I’m sure if the average Azerbaijani citizen slandered President Ilham Aliyez’s name they’d be imprisoned on accounts of treason. The Free Press does not exist in this country, no one can hold the powers that be accountable for the horrible human rights atrocities they’ve committed. COP29 is not a space for justice! The ethnic cleansing of our IndigenousArmenian relatives should be the topic of discussion.

Yet, people refer to this year as the “Finance COP,” where political jargon is spoken fluently like the Azerbaijani language. COP29 is not a place for Climate Activists; it’s not a place for the real ground level organizers pushing the Climate Justice agenda in their local communities. After two full weeks on this foreign land, I feel out of place. Many delegates wearing observer badges share these same sentiments. With this reflection, I ask the reader to look deeply into yourself. Climate Justice cannot be attained at a global scale, at a conference of parties that does not represent the people.

Ramiro is a Climate Generation Window Into COP delegate for COP29. To learn more, we encourage you to meet the full delegation, support our delegates, and subscribe to the Window Into COP digest.

Ramiro Vazquez, Jr. is an enrolled member of the Ojibwe Turtle Mountain Nation located in North Dakota. He previously collaborated with Minneapolis youth to create actions around issues that affect students in the City of Minneapolis. His love for water led him to lead the Rethink Your Drink Campaign in partnership with the City of Minneapolis Health Department to engage community members on water safety and preservation. Ramiro enjoys spending his down time on-bike or in his running shoes appreciating the natural wonders that nature provides.

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All Along The Watchtower