Journalists refused entry to Azerbaijan energy conference ahead of Cop29

Incident reignites concerns over crackdown on media before crucial UN climate talks in Baku later this year

Western journalists were refused entry to an energy industry conference in Azerbaijan earlier this month, reigniting concerns over the state's crackdown on the media ahead of crucial UN climate talks in Baku later this year.

At least three journalists from the UK and France have told the Guardian that they felt unsafe" after they were denied entry to the Baku Energy Week forum, despite registering with the event organisers weeks in advance.