The United Arab Emirates has declared that it will allow environmental activists to “make their voices heard” and peacefully assemble at this year’s Conference of the Parties (COP) summit.
The announcement was made in a joint statement released after the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell and COP28 President, Sultan al-Jaber signed the Host Country Agreement during a meeting in Abu Dhabi
The Host Country Agreement is a bilateral agreement that establishes the necessary legal basis for organising and hosting this year’s UN Climate Summit.
The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host the 28th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 28), with a view to building on previous successes and paving the way for future ambition to effectively tackle the global challenge of climate change.
In the oil-rich Gulf nation, which is set to host COP28 from November to December in the business hub of Dubai, official permission is required for demonstrations but effectively bans protests the authorities consider disruptive.
“In line with UNFCCC guidelines and adherence to international human rights norms and principles, there will be space available for climate activists to assemble peacefully and make their voices heard,” the statement read.
“We will work together to make COP28 the most inclusive UN Climate Change Conference to date.
“To this effect, we have written to all Parties urging increased participation and meaningful engagement of youth, women, local communities, and Indigenous Peoples as members of Party and observer delegations to COP.”
Sultan al-Jaber & Simon Stiell
The UAE is a major oil producer and one of the world’s largest emitters of CO2 per capita.
The choice for it to host COP28 has sparked criticism from environmental groups who warn that the involvement of an oil exporter could slow progress in the fight against global warming.
The nomination of Al-Jaber, the CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Coto preside over the talks triggered a wave of criticism from activists who warned of a conflict of interest.
COP-28 To Focus On Four Areas
Also, the statement noted that the COP-28 would focus on four areas.
These four fields include full inclusivity of the COP process, fast-tracking a just, equitable and orderly energy transition, fixing climate finance, as well as focusing on people, lives and livelihoods.
Emphasising that inclusion was a crucial cornerstone of the COP28 Presidency, Al Jaber noted, “The COP28 Presidency believes inclusivity is a critical enabler to achieving transformative progress across the climate agenda.”
He added that “only by rising above our differences and working together can we raise our shared ambition and deliver progress to keep 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach.”
On his part, Simon Stiell reaffirmed the UNFCCC’s dedication to upholding UN values at COPs and ensuring the voices of those most impacted by climate change were heard and represented in leadership roles.
Stiell stated that as custodians of the process, the secretariat is dedicated to supporting the Parties implement their climate commitments, including under the Paris Agreement.
“To drive climate action and ambition forward, we are firmly committed to ensuring that UN values are upheld at COPs,” Stiell said.
“We are also making every effort on our part to ensure that this will be a COP process where the voices of youth, women, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and those most impacted by climate change will be heard and reflected within the process.”
Simon Stiell
