Israeli President Isaac Herzog will not travel to COP29, which is being held in the Azerbaijani capital Baku, because Turkey has denied him permission to cross its airspace, diplomatic sources said.
The Azeri news portal Calibre reported that the Foreign Ministry said that this was the reason for Herzog's absence from the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), and not the security reasons that the Israeli presidency claimed on Saturday.
The Israeli presidential office said that the visit was suspended after an assessment of the security situation in the city, according to a statement released by the 'Times of Israel'.
On Saturday, hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists demonstrated in Baku to denounce the Israeli military offensive in Gaza and Lebanon. The protesters marched, chanting "We are all Palestinians".
The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference is taking place until the 22nd in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The first week of the Baku climate summit focused on financing but without progress and was also marked by accusations between France and the host Azerbaijan, without anything substantial being decided on climate.
Negotiations at the annual United Nations climate conference are expected to conclude on the 22nd with a financial agreement, focused on supporting the poorest countries and which will replace the previous commitment of 100 billion dollars per year from 2020 to 2025.
