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UNDP Chief Urges Caution in Criticizing UAE as COP28 Host
Achim Steiner, the head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has cautioned against premature criticism of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the host country for the ongoing COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai.
Speaking to dpa, Steiner acknowledged the difficulty in comprehending why Sultan al-Jaber, the head of the UAE’s state oil company, is leading the UN meeting.
Despite the apparent contradiction, Steiner suggested recognizing that an oil-producing nation was confronting the climate challenge and seeking to foster consensus among the 200 participating states.
“I say: let’s wait until the end of this conference and assess the role of the United Arab Emirates as host according to the results that come out of it,” Steiner emphasized.
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The two-week conference, featuring 97,000 participants, is slated to conclude on December 12, with a pivotal focus on deciding whether to phase out coal, oil, and gas.
Steiner pointed out the perceived inconsistency in singling out the UAE, highlighting that Western countries, including the U.S, Canada, Norway, and the UK, have expressed intentions to expand their oil production. He urged caution in scrutinizing the UAE’s role, stating, “This already shows that you should perhaps be a little more cautious when you single out a country like the United Arab Emirates.”
Addressing concerns raised by The Guardian newspaper and the Centre for Climate Reporting, which reported Al-Jaber’s statements contradicting the scientific consensus on phasing out fossil fuels, Steiner maintained that awarding COP28 to the UAE was not inherently illegal.
He referenced past climate conferences held in regions with strong ties to coal, such as Poland, illustrating the complexities of a world striving to progress in the 21st century while still grappling with 20th-century challenges.
The UNDP chief’s remarks underscore the need for a nuanced perspective on the UAE’s role as the host country, emphasizing the importance of evaluating outcomes before passing judgment on the conference’s effectiveness.
