{"id":2377793,"date":"2024-12-09T06:04:02","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T11:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pro-dei-firm-represents-repressive-regimes-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-12-09T06:04:37","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T11:04:37","slug":"pro-dei-firm-represents-repressive-regimes-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pro-dei-firm-represents-repressive-regimes-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Pro-DEI firm represents repressive regimes &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpro-dei-firm-represents-repressive-regimes-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2377793&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article\u200b discusses the global public \u2064relations firm Teneo, which represents authoritarian \u200bgovernments, including Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia, known for their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/u-n-elects-iran-china-to-womens-rights-commission\/\" title=\"U.N. Elects Iran, China To Women\u2019s Rights Commission\">significant human rights abuses<\/a>. Despite these affiliations, Teneo promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as \u200bcore company values. The firm has been involved in efforts to improve the public image of azerbaijan as it hosted the COP29 climate change conference, amidst accusations of ethnic\u200d cleansing and poor human rights records. Teneo also promotes various internal initiatives for DEI,such as improving minority representation \u200cin corporate leadership and supporting LGBTQ+\u200d rights,despite the stark contrast between its advocacy and the oppressive laws\u2062 of its clients. The financial arrangements between \u2062Teneo and these governments are substantial, with Azerbaijan reportedly paying Teneo significant \u200dfees for its public relations efforts, which include shaping media narratives to present a more favorable\u200b image of the nation during international events. This duality presents a complex \u2062picture of Teneo as a firm that champions social justice while\u200b working \u200bfor\u200c regimes \u2063with a notorious track record.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Firm acting as foreign agent for repressive authoritarian regimes really cares about DEI<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1874787\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Teneo, a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">global public relations firm based<\/a> in New York City counts the governments of <a href=\"https:\/\/efile.fara.gov\/docs\/6698-Exhibit-AB-20240610-29.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Azerbaijan<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/efile.fara.gov\/docs\/6698-Exhibit-AB-20210905-10.pdf\">Saudi<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/efile.fara.gov\/docs\/6698-Exhibit-AB-20190708-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Arabia<\/a> among its clients. While representing nations accused of grave human rights abuses, Teneo simultaneously <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teneo.com\/our-firm\/dei\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">maintains<\/a> that diversity, equity, and inclusion are among its &ldquo;core values.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Teneo began its work with Azerbaijan in June to help the country promote its COP29 climate change conference. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/3230506\/cop29-un-climate-conference-broken-unrealistic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">COP29<\/a>, an annual environmental summit sponsored by the United Nations, was controversial from the outset due both to Azerbaijan&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/11\/12\/climate\/cop29-trump-oil-and-gas.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">extensive extraction<\/a> of fossil fuels and its <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/opinion\/energy-environment\/4612690-hold-azerbaijan-accountable-before-it-hosts-the-next-un-climate-conference\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">poor record<\/a> on human rights, <a href=\"http:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20240904170844\/https:\/\/www.lemkininstitute.com\/statements-new-page\/statement-on-the-genocidal-state-of-azerbaijan-hosting-cop29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">including<\/a> an alleged ethnic cleansing that it carried out in a disputed region inhabited primarily by Christian Armenians in 2023. The State Department has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/reports\/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices\/azerbaijan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">said<\/a> the country has &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rand-paul-says-he-will-force-senate-vote-on-2-5-billion-arms-sale-to-egypts-criminal-masters\/\" title=\"Rand Paul Says He Will Force Senate Vote On .5 Billion Arms Sale To \u2018Egypt\u2019s Criminal Masters\u2019\">significant human rights issues<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The firm&rsquo;s work for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/1379769\/how-saudi-arabia-is-using-sport-to-expand-its-reach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Public Investment Fund<\/a>, Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s sovereign wealth fund, meanwhile, dates back to September 2021 and its work with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/27101\/inside-saudi-arabias-plans-to-build-75-mile-long-futuristic-skyscrapers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">NEOM Company<\/a>, a Saudi state-owned corporation aiming to build a futuristic city along the Red Sea, began in July 2017. Teneo was tasked with promoting Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s ventures to the public and investors, despite the nation&rsquo;s human rights abuses <a href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/reports\/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices\/saudi-arabia\/\">documented<\/a> by the State Department.<\/p>\n<p>While working as an agent for these authoritarian regimes, Teneo has nonetheless touted its commitment to human rights in the form of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Among other initiatives, the firm has worked to increase the number of women in corporate leadership positions, established affinity groups for racial and sexual minorities, set internal goals for hiring racial minoritie,s and signed GLAAD&rsquo;s statement of support for LGBT people.<\/p>\n<p>In 2017, the Azerbaijani government detained dozens of gay men and transgender women and tortured them to extract information regarding the whereabouts of other homosexuals, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/reports\/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices\/azerbaijan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">according<\/a> to the State Department. Homosexuality in Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humandignitytrust.org\/country-profile\/saudi-arabia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">outright illegal<\/a>. In its 2023 Sustainability Report, Teneo highlighted that it received the People&rsquo;s Choice award for LGBTQ+ advocacy during VERCIDA&rsquo;s 2023-2024 Inclusive Employee Awards.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People pose for a photo with the Baku Olympic Stadium in the background at the COP29 U.N. Climate Summit, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. (AP Photo\/Peter Dejong)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Teneo supports a broad array of racial diversity efforts. For one, the firm partners with activist organizations to facilitate the hiring of more &ldquo;diverse&rdquo; candidates. Teneo is also a signatory of the &ldquo;Race at Work Charter,&rdquo; which calls on businesses to incorporate minority-owned businesses in their supply chains, require managers to promote DEI, track the ethnic identities of employees, and appoint an executive to handle race-related initiatives.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We believe that the history of injustice and promise of freedom should be acknowledged, recognized and remembered globally,&rdquo; the company&rsquo;s sustainability report reads. Teneo makes a point to highlight that the company observes both Juneteenth and Windrush Day, a British holiday celebrating the contribution of migrants.<\/p>\n<p>Though positioning themselves as champions of ethnic diversity, Teneo took on Azerbaijan as a client just months after the oil-rich nation orchestrated what many international observers have characterized as an ethnic cleansing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Azerbaijan <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/2587223\/armenias-increasingly-dire-situation\/\">invaded<\/a> the autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which was inhabited primarily by Armenian Christians, on Sept. 19, 2023. The offensive led to nearly all 120,000 inhabitants of the territory <a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2024\/10\/26\/democrat-aligned-foreign-influence-network-pressured-america-ignore-ethnic-cleansing-of-christians\/\">fleeing<\/a> westward for fear of death. Before assaulting the disputed area, Azerbaijan imposed a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.civilnet.am\/en\/news\/749880\/9-months-of-blockade-in-karabakh\/\">nine-month<\/a> blockade severely restricting the flow of food and fuel into the region in a move the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/nagorno-karabakh-residents-say-disastrous-blockade-choking-supplies-2023-08-16\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">said <\/a>could amount to genocide. <a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2023\/09\/06\/denying-experts-call-out-biden-admin-being-silent-armenian-persecution\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Foreign policy experts<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2024\/10\/26\/democrat-aligned-foreign-influence-network-pressured-america-ignore-ethnic-cleansing-of-christians\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">American lawmakers<\/a> have condemned Azerbaijan&rsquo;s operations, with some going as far as to accuse the country of ethnic cleansing.<\/p>\n<p>The governments of Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan have paid Teneo handsomely for its services. Azerbaijan paid Teneo a monthly retainer fee of $475,000 with additional fees of $1,425,000 and $950,000 May and June, according to Foreign Agent Registration Act disclosures. During the event itself, Azerbaijan <a href=\"https:\/\/efile.fara.gov\/docs\/6698-Exhibit-AB-20241122-31.pdf\">increased<\/a> its retainer payment to Teneo to&nbsp;$750,000.<\/p>\n<p>In exchange for the cash, Teneo agreed to work with Azerbaijan to work on &ldquo;narrative development&rdquo; for COP29 and to handle media relations for the event. In practice, Teneo flooded journalists with emails, phone calls, and text messages aiming to shape coverage of the conference in a way favorable to the Azerbaijani government, <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/13s4x7Yow9p7slGmp6kISm7e1wEpEYOE1d5TSpvrEMfQ\/edit?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">according <\/a>to FARA records. Among the major American outlets contacted by Teneo on behalf of Azerbaijan were the <em>New York Times<\/em>,<em> Bloomberg<\/em>,<em> Associated Press, <\/em>and the<em> Washington Post<\/em>. The public relations firms also engaged with media outlets in the United Kingdom, India, China, Pakistan, Australia, Ireland, and Japan, among other countries.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>While its foreign agent interfaced with journalists abroad, Azerbaijan imposed &ldquo;serious restrictions&rdquo; on the media and free expression at home, according to the State Department. The Azerbaijani government has engaged in violence against members of the press, thrown dissident journalists in jail, and imposed significant restrictions on internet freedom.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In its work for NEOM Company and the Public Investment Fund, the Saudi-owned ventures, Teneo also advanced the interests of its clients by attempting to influence media coverage. For its Saudi clients, Teneo targeted more business-related publications and programs. Teneo was tasked with presenting the Public Investment Fund as &ldquo;a sophisticated global investment organization with a solid track record and a targeted investment strategy.&rdquo; Similarly, the Saudi government tasked Teneo with promoting NEOM to global audiences and wooing investors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Some investors have been wary of sending funds to Saudi Arabia due to its history of authoritarianism and human rights abuses. Among other offenses, the State Department has found that the Saudi government has murdered its citizens, engaged in torture, subjected people to arbitrary detention, severely restricted freedom of expression, carried out violence against journalists, and allowed the &ldquo;existence of the worst forms of child labor.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Teneo received millions for its work on behalf of the Saudi government ventures, according to FARA disclosures.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Joe Biden, center left, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, center, arrive for the family photo during the &ldquo;GCC+3&rdquo; (Gulf Cooperation Council) meeting at a hotel in Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah, July 16, 2022. (Mandel Ngan\/Pool Photo via AP, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;We are making progress and, while we are encouraged by our narrowing year-on-year gender pay gap, we understand that the picture is complex and that sustained reductions will take time to achieve,&rdquo; Teneo&rsquo;s sustainability report reads. The company&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teneo.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2023-Teneo-UK-Gender-Pay-Gap-Report-Final.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">United Kingdom branch<\/a>, for instance, engages in targeted recruitment of female candidates and facilitates &ldquo;conscious inclusion training&rdquo; to make the workplace more welcoming for women.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Both Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan <a href=\"https:\/\/www3.weforum.org\/docs\/WEF_GGGR_2024.pdf\">rank<\/a> near the bottom of the World Economic Forum&rsquo;s indices measuring gender equality and have been criticized by the State Department for failing to uphold equal rights for women. Teneo claims that it is &ldquo;committed to gender equality.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Despite representing two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-us-energy-envoy-expects-further-steps-from-opec-producers-on-supplies\/\" title=\"Top US Energy Envoy Expects Further Steps From OPEC Producers on Supplies\">major crude oil producers<\/a>, Teneo also claims that it is on a mission to promote environmental sustainability by playing a &ldquo;key role in the transition to a lower carbon economy.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Teneo did not respond to the <em>Washington Examiner&rsquo;s<\/em> request for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1874787\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1874787\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Teneo, a PR firm, claims to value DEI while serving repressive regimes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":894,"featured_media":2377794,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/AP24318312901987.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[16574,14742,46386,32076],"class_list":["post-2377793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-dei","tag-representation","tag-repressive-regimes","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/AP24318312901987.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2377793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/894"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2377793"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2377793\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2377797,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2377793\/revisions\/2377797"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2377794"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2377793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2377793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2377793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}