Von der Leyen’s Cop29 absence sends ‘fatal signal’, say watchers

MEPs express concern for EU climate leadership as Commission head confirms she will miss Baku summit

Ursula von der Leyen’s decision to miss the Cop29 climate summit next week is “a fatal signal” and raises questions about Europe’s commitment to the climate crisis, observers have said.

The European Commission confirmed on Tuesday that its president would not attend UN climate talks in Baku, which start on Monday. “The commission is in a transition phase and the president will therefore focus on her institutional duties,” a spokesperson said.