Dr Sultan denies misusing his office to broker oil deals
OIL AND GAS NEWS
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and President of COP28, currently underway in Dubai, has denied reports that he used his office at COP to negotiate fossil fuel deals.
He said this in reply to a question by a journalist in Dubai. “These allegations are false. Not true, incorrect, not accurate. It’s an attempt to undermine the work of the Cop28 residency,” he said.
Reports surfaced after the
Centre for Climate Reporting—an investigative journalism organisation—released documents about private discussions between Dr Sultan and global government figures.
He added: “Do you think the UAE or myself need the COP or the COP presidency to go and establish better deals or commercial relationships? This country over the past 50 years has been built around its ability to build bridges and create relationships and partnerships.”
COP28 is the year’s biggest climate conference and is running from November 30 to December 12 in Dubai.
Some 70,000 campaigners, business chiefs, lobby groups and indigenous communities are expected to attend.
There is expectation of some tough talks on the future role of fossil fuels, and the commitment from countries to start phasing out the use of CO2-emitting coal, oil and gas.
The US, EU and many climate-vulnerable countries are insisting on a final COP28 deal that commits countries to phase out fossil fuels.
While Dr Sultan has said the phase down of fossil fuels is “inevitable”, countries are waiting to see if the UAE will push other oil-rich nations to back the idea at COP28.
Regarding the convention, Dr Sultan said on the eve of the first day: "This COP is not on ordinary COP; this is the most consequential COP after Paris (Agreement).” --OGN
