HRW: UAE is seeking to use COP28 as a means of burnishing its image

Human Rights Watch has accused the UAE of using the COP28 as a means of burnishing its image while continuing to push the expansion of fossil fuels, undermining efforts to confront the climate crisis and protect human rights.

In recent weeks, grave concerns have emerged about the conflicts of interest posed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as host of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference known as COP28, as well as fears about the safety and security of participants in the deeply repressive petrostate. 

On January 12, the UAE appointed Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber as president of COP28. He is the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and founded the state-owned renewable energy company Masdar in 2006. The U.S. and EU envoys, John Kerry and Frans Timmermans, quickly endorsed his selection. 

The UAE has not been an ally of ambitious and rights-based climate action. The  Gulf state sent the largest number of fossil fuel lobbyists as part of its COP27 delegation in Egypt, Global Witness reported, with 70 individuals from within their delegation classified as lobbyists who are either directly affiliated with oil and gas corporations or attending as members of delegations that act on behalf of the oil and gas industry. 

The UAE is trying to use COP28 to paint itself as a tolerant oasis of sustainable development and green energy, while continuing to promote the interests of the oil industry and fossil fuels. 

After the UAE obtained the COP28 presidency it quickly hired a number of expensive U.S. PR firms, apparently to promote its role as host.