Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of the UAE’s national oil company, secured the COP28 presidency despite questions over his green credentials.
by Ben Stockton and Amy Westervelt, The Intercept
John Kerry looked on from the front row as Sultan Al Jaber of the United Arab Emirates took to the stage in Abu Dhabi in January. Next to Kerry on the plush white chairs reserved for VIPs were senior figures from the Emirati, British, and U.S. governments. It was Al Jaber’s first public appearance since being appointed president of this year’s Conference of the Parties, COP28, the United Nations annual climate summit.
Al Jaber wore a sage green kandura, round glasses, and a white headdress. He spoke slowly and deliberately, laying out his vision for COP28, which will be held in the UAE in December. But his assured manner belied the barrage of criticism he was facing in the press.
Al Jaber is not just this year’s COP president. He also heads the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, known as Adnoc. It is the first time any CEO, let alone one from the fossil fuel industry, has been COP president. The announcement was met with fury from climate activists. Kerry, meanwhile, the U.S. special presidential envoy for climate, appeared nonplussed.
Recent Posts
‘People in Venezuela Can Oppose the Government But Still Reject US Intervention’:
Take Action Now CounterSpin interview with Michelle Ellner on Venezuela invasionBy Janine Jackson, FAIR Janine Jackson interviewed CODEPINK’s…
Social Strikes: Confronting ICE and Resisting Authoritarianism
Take Action Now An in-depth discussion with Jeremy Brecher on the strategy, potential, and challenges of mass social strikes following the Minnesota…
Israeli Ban on 37 Aid Organizations Expected to Have Devastating Impacts Across Palestine
Take Action Now Aid organizations say Israel’s recent ban of 37 groups has dealt a severe blow to humanitarian work across Palestine. In Gaza, it…
U.S. Surging Military Assets To the Middle East To Prepare for War With Iran After Trump Postpones Attack
Take Action Now Reports claim that Netanyahu asked Trump to delay the attack as Israel wants more time to prepare for counterattacksBy Dave…