Skip to content Skip to Search
Skip navigation

Al Jaber flags ‘strong views’ and calls for collaboration

By Sarah Townsend
Sultan Al Jaber encouraged environmental lobbyists and the hydrocarbon industry to work together 'to do something unprecedented' Cop28/Christopher Pike
Sultan Al Jaber encouraged environmental lobbyists and the hydrocarbon industry to work together 'to do something unprecedented'
  • Al Jaber sworn in as Cop28 president
  • Acknowledges fossil fuel role
  • Official agenda agreed

Cop28 president Sultan Al Jaber told delegates at the opening of the global climate change conference in Dubai that he was aware that there were “strong views” about the inclusion of fossil fuel companies in the discussions.

In his opening remarks, the Emirati head, who is also chief executive of the state oil company Adnoc, encouraged environmental lobbyists to work with the hydrocarbon industry to reach consensus at the Dubai event and “to do something unprecedented”.

“It is essential that no issue is left off the table … that includes the role of fossil fuels,” Al Jaber said. “We have the power to do something unprecedented. I ask you to work together.” 

He said that the Cop28 UAE presidency had made a “bold choice to proactively engage with oil and gas companies”, as it hosted the two-week climate change summit. He noted that many of them have now put in place emissions reduction strategies. 

“We had many discussions. Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. But now, many of these companies have committed to zeroing out methane emissions by 2030, and adopted net zero 2050 targets for the first time.”

Al Jaber added: “I am grateful they have stepped up to join this game-changing journey, but it is not enough, and I know they can do much more.” 

Al Jaber, who is also the UAE minister of industry, was officially sworn in as president of Cop28 UAE, the host of this year’s United Nations climate summit, in a ceremony on Thursday. 

He has previously been known as president-designate but today’s ceremony marked the official transfer of the role from Cop27 president Sameh Shoukry. 

Crowd, Person, People Sameh Shoukry, president of Cop27, has officially handed over the reins to Al JaberCop28/Christopher Pike
Sameh Shoukry, president of Cop27, has officially handed over the reins to Al Jaber

Also on Thursday, participating nations approved the Cop28 UAE presidency’s official “negotiations agenda”, which sets the parametres for the discussions ahead and provides clarity on what needs to be done to meet the 1.5 degree maximum global warming target set by the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Al Jaber reiterated his calls for the world to accelerate climate action and for Cop28 participating nations to find “swift consensus on the agenda and a quick move to text”. 

“The science has spoken … the moment is now to find a new road,” he said.

Latest articles

Dubai's appointment of chief AI officers is part of a broader push to adopt the technology

Dubai to appoint AI officers across all government entities

Dubai has ordered that all government entities must appoint a chief artificial intelligence officer, as part of a new drive to embrace the new technology. The Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence was launched on Monday and as part of the initiative the new government AI officers will be tasked with leading specialised AI projects […]

Teenage students use a laptop and tablet. One cybersecurity expert said pupils' personal devices could increase the risk of data breaches

Cybercrooks have their eyes on Gulf schools, experts warn

The education sector in the GCC has emerged as a prime target for cybercriminals because of budgetary constraints and a lack of expertise, tech experts have told AGBI. “Schools, in particular, are vulnerable due to their extensive storage of sensitive personal information and comparatively lower investments in cybersecurity,” said Ram Narayanan, country manager at Check […]

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi meets with Tiit Riisalo, Estonia’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology

UAE and Estonia look to AI and health tech to grow trade

The digital economy is expected to be at the forefront of trade between the UAE and Estonia as the former Soviet state positions itself to become a European centre for deep tech projects. Officials from both countries met on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, with artificial intelligence and health tech highlighted as areas for greater collaboration. […]

$290m fund set up to develop Riyadh business park

A $290 million fund has been set up in Saudi Arabia to develop a new business park in Riyadh as the city struggles to meet growing demand.  Ezdihar Real Estate Development Company and Al-Istithmar Securities and Brokerage Company, the investment arm of the Saudi Investment Bank, said the fund will focus on a 103,000 sq […]