{"id":6807,"date":"2024-11-14T13:06:23","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T20:06:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.coloradocollege.edu\/blockfeatures\/?p=6807"},"modified":"2025-06-26T01:39:42","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T07:39:42","slug":"6807","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.coloradocollege.edu\/blockfeatures\/2024\/11\/14\/6807\/","title":{"rendered":"First Impressions in Baku: Ethnic Cleansing, Oil Wealth, and Climate Reckoning at COP29"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Ella Reese-Clauson, ’26, International Political Economy <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We entered the Baku airport at two in the morning local time after a nearly twenty-four hour travel day, amazed by the sloping, modern wooden arches of the terminal. Signs for COP29 in a now-familiar teal color lined the hallway. Our shuttle driver pointed out notable buildings as he maneuvered the still-crowded streets of Azerbaijan\u2019s capital. The Baku Olympic Stadium, the venue hosting COP29, illuminated the skyline as we entered the city, its lighted exterior shining the blue, red, and green of the Azerbaijan flag. The famed flame towers\u2014a trio of sleek, flame-shaped buildings that are three of the city\u2019s many expensive skyscrapers built with new oil money\u2014played a light show on repeat of the country\u2019s waving flag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After some much-needed sleep to the light murmur of the bustling square outside our hotel, we spent the next day exploring Baku before the conference started. We walked Baku Boulevard, the lakeside promenade off the Caspian Sea, ventured into the world-famous Carpet museum, and wandered the historic Inner City. As we marveled at the juxtaposing medieval arches of a UNESCO heritage site and futuristic architecture of Deniz Mall, the Azerbaijan flag was a constant: young boys ran around in Azerbaijani army suits with the flag as their cape, young women donned it as a scarf, and its colors waved off balcony railings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n