TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Ministry of Environment (MOENV) has launched a war room to follow events at the COP29 United Nations Climate Conference, reports said Tuesday (Nov. 5).

Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明) said last month he would not attend the Nov. 11-22 conference since the host country Azerbaijan is known to be pro-China. Nevertheless, he plans to speak to participants and keep close tabs on developments via video conference.

Peng said the war room will allow Taiwan to understand whether developments at COP29 will influence the country’s path to cut emissions. The MOENV will organize a series of seminars and six online workshops, and allow the public in Taiwan to watch COP29 meetings online, per CNA.

The ministry’s officials and experts will follow developments closely, as the Russo-Ukrainian War and the United States presidential election are likely to impact the conference, according to Peng. He also hopes to encourage other ministries to speed up their moves toward zero emissions, despite complaints about shortages of funds and personnel.