A monthly newsletter for scholars, policy-makers, and civil society members. | | Altai Mountains, Katon-Karagay National Park, Kazakhstan. AdobeStock. | | |
Welcome to Voices of Resilience, a monthly newsletter from Crude Accountability. As you may have noticed, we have made changes to our name and design to reflect our current mission. While our newsletter may look different, it is still the same newsletter that you've come to trust and rely on for the latest updates of environmental and human rights in the past.
In this edition, we share a new report by Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu on Azerbaijan's post-COP29 legacy, as the petrostate doubles down on its role as a fossil fuel producer and exporter. We also bring you updates from Vienna, Austria, at the OSCE Parallel Civil Society Conference with talks focused on climate and environmental security in the region.
| | Join us in uncovering narratives, promoting transparency, and advocating for environmental and human rights of people and communities, especially those who are marginalized by extractive, corporate, and authoritarian actions. | | This year, the call for climate justice has never been greater. If our mission resonates with you, please consider supporting us to ensure that our vital work can continue in these fraught and fragile times. | | Azerbaijan Taps into Fossil Fuel Expansion Post-COP29 | |
| NASA: The night lights of Baku, Azerbaijan 2023. | |
In December, Crude Accountability published Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu's latest report, “Analysis & Policy Implications of Azerbaijan’s Energy Strategy: Gas Laundromat, Sanctions Exposure, and Transition Pathways,” that examines Azerbaijan’s expansion as a petrostate after hosting COP29.
Azerbaijan is not only investing in its national oil and gas industry, but expanding investments abroad with the EU, Russia, UK, US, and other fossil fuel partners.
Dr. Ibadoghlu, who has been under house arrest since April 2024, following nine harrowing months in pre-trial detention, has been detained by the Azerbaijani government on trumped-up charges, and denied access to a fair trial, critically needed medical care, and contact with his family.
Crude Accountability continues to call for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Ibadoghlu.
| | OSCE Parallel Civil Society Conference | |
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In December, our Executive Director Kate Watters was in Vienna for the OSCE Parallel Civil Society Conference, chaired by the Permanent Mission of Finland to the OSCE and organized by the Civic Solidarity Platform.
During the conference, Watters provided recommendations on environment and climate security in the context of the Helsinki+50 Reflection process for OSCE leaders and participating states ahead of the 32nd OSCE Ministerial Council.
In a session on the current state of the US as one of the OSCE countries requiring particular attention, Watters was joined by independent analyst and former US Foreign Service officer Douglas Wake. They discussed shortcomings in US fulfillment of OSCE commitments, including concerns regarding the administration's treatment of migrants and non-citizens, issues related to adherence to the rule of law, and ensuring free, fair, and open elections.
We believe a strong and free civil society is essential for a healthy democracy and the progression of a just and sustainable world.
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In the latest crack down on Russia’s sanction-evading efforts: French naval forces took control of a Russia-linked oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea. (AP)
But Russia’s shadow fleet is still at large.
In a 2-year investigation, Crude Accountability examined the movement of rogue tankers linked to Russia’s oil trade in the Laconian Gulf and Black Sea, conducting ship-to-ship transfers – a hazardous process of transferring oil from one ship to another while in open waters.
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Azerbaijan continues to contradict its COP29 leadership: Azerbaijani state energy company, SOCAR, has announced that it is selling natural gas to Austria and Germany. (Eurasianet)
But can Azerbaijan actually meet this demand?
Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu explores this question in our latest report, noting that Azerbaijan is unlikely to meet its pledge to supply 20 bcm of gas annually to the EU by 2027 due to production limits and infrastructure constraints.
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Kazakhstan's freedom of expression and independent journalism is under further peril: Authorities have targeted independent journalists and media outlets in recent weeks. (Amnesty International)
In a coalition with nine human rights groups, Crude Accountability issued a joint statement calling for an end to this crackdown. The statement also raises concern of parliament's passage of an anti-LGBTQ+ draft law, which was signed into law by President Tokayev on 30 December 2025.
| | If you like this newsletter, then please consider supporting us with a monthly or one-time donation. You may also write a check to Crude Accountability, P.O. Box 423, Linden, VA, 22642. | | Images in this newsletter are licensed for editorial use via Adobe Stock or belong to Crude Accountability. | | | | |
