Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate (IEA) is expected to send representatives to the COP31 United Nations climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, marking its second participation in the global climate conference process since returning to power in 2021.

According to the Associated Press, Rohullah Amin, head of climate change at the National Environmental Protection Agency, confirmed that Kabul plans to send a delegation. A Turkish official also confirmed that IEA representatives had been invited as observers.

The IEA previously attended COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2024. Observer status allows delegates to participate in discussions but does not grant them formal negotiating or decision-making powers.

Afghanistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing recurring droughts, water shortages, extreme temperatures and devastating floods. These challenges threaten agricultural production, livelihoods and food security, while contributing to internal displacement.

The planned participation comes amid continuing disagreements over Afghanistan’s international representation and access to climate financing, with the United Nations yet to recognize the IEA administration as the country’s official government.

COP31 is expected to provide another opportunity to highlight Afghanistan’s growing environmental challenges and its need for international climate support.

Afghanistan has presented its key environmental and climate-related priorities to international organisations and development partners, seeking stronger cooperation and support for environmental protection initiatives.

The priorities were outlined during the eighth meeting on aligning the priorities of Afghanistan’s sectoral institutions with international organisations, the United Nations and development partners, held at the Marble Palace.

The meeting was organised by the Public Relations Directorate of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office for Economic Affairs, with the National Environmental Protection Agency presenting its key areas of focus.

These include developing a climate change information system, assessing climate vulnerabilities, expanding green spaces, promoting tree planting and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions and ozone-depleting substances.

The meeting aimed to improve coordination between Afghanistan’s institutions and international partners, ensuring future development assistance reflects the country’s environmental needs.

Representatives of international organisations and donor agencies welcomed the initiative and said the priorities would be considered in their future cooperation with Afghanistan.

The discussions form part of broader efforts to strengthen international coordination on environmental protection and address the country’s growing climate-related challenges.

Matiul Haq Khalis, head of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), has travelled to Malaysia with a delegation to participate in the Global Environmental Education Conference (EEC 2026), focusing on environmental awareness, climate resilience and international cooperation.

According to the agency, the conference is scheduled to take place on October 27 and 28 in Kuching, the capital of Malaysia’s Sarawak state.

The conference aims to explore innovative approaches to environmental education, raise public awareness about environmental protection, strengthen communities’ resilience to climate change and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience among participating countries.

The Afghan delegation is expected to share the country’s experiences and proposals in environmental education and waste management with representatives from other countries, while seeking opportunities for cooperation with international organizations, the agency said.

Representatives and experts from various countries and organizations, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), are also expected to attend the conference.

Afghanistan’s participation is intended to promote knowledge-sharing and explore potential international partnerships in environmental protection, waste management and climate resilience.