Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama made headlines at the COP29 Climate Summit in Baku, delivering a speech that called out global inaction on climate change. His remarks, highlighted in several international media outlets, expressed frustration at the lack of tangible measures to reduce carbon emissions, which have continued to increase worldwide since last year. Rama accused global leaders of attending climate summits that are more for show than substance, where “no one listens to anyone” and meaningful action remains absent.

Why is this important: Albania stands out as one of the few countries worldwide with a 100% renewable electricity production system, giving it one of the lowest pollution levels relative to its size. While Rama expressed pride in this achievement, he raised concerns about the future if major polluters continue business as usual. He questioned the effectiveness of climate summits if the world’s largest emitters fail to commit to significant change.

Context: Rama painted a vivid picture of the summit atmosphere, describing a setting full of large screens and strategically placed greenery to create an illusion of environmental concern. He mocked the superficiality of the event, pointing out the contrast between leaders taking photos and dining in comfort while muted speeches played in the background.

What did he say: Rama criticized the global approach to climate change with blunt honesty. “People there eat, drink, meet, and take pictures together. Meanwhile, silent speeches from leaders continue endlessly in the background. This feels exactly like what happens in the real world every day. Life goes on with its old habits, and our speeches filled with good words to fight climate change, change nothing,” he said.

He emphasized the grim reality pointed out by the UN Secretary-General, noting that carbon emissions have risen over the past year instead of falling. He warned that ambitious targets continue to be postponed in a world increasingly chaotic and deeply divided.

Rama also questioned the purpose of attending these summits: “What the hell are we doing at these back-to-back meetings if there is no collective political will on the horizon to move beyond words and unite for meaningful action? Even worse, some key and minor players boycotted this annual event.”

A call to action: Though acknowledging Albania’s limited global impact, Rama stressed the absurdity of ongoing meetings without decisive action. He quoted a powerful Islamic teaching from Anas bin Malik, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, to emphasize the urgency: “If the Day of Judgment comes and one of you has a sapling in hand, if he can plant it before it comes, let him plant it.”

He used this as a metaphor, urging global leaders to take meaningful steps to combat climate change before it is too late, referencing recent natural disasters in Valencia, Spain, as a grim reminder of the stakes.