Fortunately, in all climate summits there is a leader, more or less unknown, who goes off script. At COP26 in Glasgow, the main protagonist was Simon Kofe, Foreign Minister of Tuvalu, who gave his speech dressed in water up to his waist from his distant Pacific island: “We are sinking!” At COP29 in Baku, that role was assumed at his enviable height by the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, refusing to read what he had written and pulling his ears to more than 66,000 delegates who finally met in the capital of Azerbaijan…
“People eat, drink, meet, take photos together, while in the background you hear voiceless leaders. For me, this is what happens today in the real world. Life continues exactly the same, with their old habits. Our speeches, full of good words about how to fight climate change, change nothing“, said the Albanian Prime Minister.
“What will all this mean for the future of the planet if the world’s biggest polluters continue as if nothing had happened?” said Edi Rama, a day after Azerbaijan’s president brazenly said that gas and oil” are a gift from God“, and that accusing their country of continuing to exploit them would be “like accusing us of having 250 days of sunshine a year in Baku”.
The Albanian Prime Minister, however, did not bite his tongue and concluded his speech with an appeal to shake the international community out of its complacency: “What the hell are we doing here at these summits, again and again, if there is no common policy Is it on the horizon to move beyond words and unite for meaningful action?”
His powerful voice echoed in the plenary hall on the third day of COP29, which also featured the Nobel Prize winner in economics Muhammad Yanus, interim advisor to the Government of Bangladesh: “We have chosen an environmentally unfriendly lifestyle and accept this economic framework as something as natural as the planetary system.”
Yanus underlined that reducing emissions will not be possible without a change in values, while expressing confidence in the new generations: “It is possible to do it. We must accept the need for a change in our lifestyle consistent with the planet we live in.” .
Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, spoke on this occasion for the island countries, hit in 2024 by a particularly virulent season of hurricanes and storms: “For nations like mine it is no longer a threat, but a devastating reality. We cannot wait for more false promises.
“The time has come for countries to assume their moral responsibility,” he said as he called for a commitment to $1 trillion in annual climate finance, the headline target of COP29. “But we want loans, which will serve to aggravate the debt problem, but rather aid and subsidies. And we also ask for the role of the International Court of Justice to ensure compliance with the legal obligations of all States in the face of climate change.”.
Time.news Interview: An In-Depth Look at Climate Change Activism with Edi Rama
Editor (Carlos Fresneda): Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Albania, who recently made headlines for his candid remarks at COP29 in Baku. Edi, welcome!
Edi Rama: Thank you, Carlos. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Carlos Fresneda: Your speech at COP29 was particularly striking. You vividly described a disconnect between the grand narratives presented at climate summits and the reality of inaction by the world’s leaders. Can you elaborate on what prompted you to speak out so passionately?
Edi Rama: Absolutely. When I looked around at those listening—and sharing their meals, networking, and taking photos—I felt a stark contrast to the urgency of the climate crisis we face. It seemed as though my words were lost in an echo chamber, disconnected from true action. That compelled me to question, “What are we really doing here?”
Carlos Fresneda: You mentioned that life continues “with old habits” while leaders give eloquent speeches. What do you believe needs to change to shift from dialogue to actionable strategies?
Edi Rama: We must stop treating these summits as merely ceremonial. They should be a platform for concrete actions and commitments. The world’s biggest polluters cannot continue with their operations as if nothing matters. We need bold, unified policies that move beyond rhetoric to significant environmental reforms.
Carlos Fresneda: At your speech, you took issue with the Azerbaijani president’s comments labeling fossil fuels as “a gift from God.” What message do you think such rhetoric sends regarding climate responsibility?
Edi Rama: That statement reflects a troubling mindset. It suggests an ownership of fossil fuels without considering the broader implications for our planet. Such attitudes must change if we are to foster a global sense of responsibility. The exploitation of these resources should not be framed as a right but rather as a duty—a duty to transition towards a sustainable future.
Carlos Fresneda: Your call-to-action was powerful, asking, “What the hell are we doing here?” How do you envision a more effective climate summit?
Edi Rama: I envision a summit where leaders don’t just talk about targets but also outline accountability mechanisms and share real progress. We need to create environments where we hold one another accountable for our commitments. If there’s no common policy in sight, we’re just going around in circles.
Carlos Fresneda: You’ve gained attention for being outspoken. How important is it for leaders like yourself to challenge complacency in global governance on climate change?
Edi Rama: It’s crucial. If we don’t challenge complacency, we lose the opportunity to spur necessary change. As leaders, we must advocate for the vulnerable populations already suffering the consequences of climate change. It’s about standing up not just for our countries but for the world at large.
Carlos Fresneda: Lastly, in your view, what must ordinary citizens do to amplify this call for action and influence their leaders?
Edi Rama: Citizens must remain engaged and vocal. Grassroots movements can exert immense pressure on governments. Advocacy, education, and community organization can transform public sentiment and inspire action at every level. Change begins when people demand it from their leaders.
Carlos Fresneda: Thank you, Edi. Your insights today are vital for understanding the urgent need for action against climate change. We hope to see genuine progress in the discussions that follow.
Edi Rama: Thank you, Carlos. Together, we can make a difference.