John Kerry tells AP he supports the UAE oil chief responsible for COP28

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. climate envoy John Kerry backs the United Arab Emirates’ decision to appoint the CEO of a state-run oil company to preside over the upcoming U.N. climate negotiations in Dubai, citing his work on renewable energy projects.

In an interview Sunday with The Associated Press, the former U.S. secretary of state acknowledged that the Emirates and other countries relying on fossil fuels to fund their state coffers face finding “some balance” ahead.

He rejected the suggestion that Sultan al-Jaber’s post should be automatically disqualified as a result of his leadership of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. Activists, however, equated it to asking “arms dealers to lead peace talks” When he was nominated by authorities on Thursday

“I think that Dr. Sultan al-Jaber is a terrific choice because he is the head of the company. Kerry spoke at an Emirati energy conference. Kerry acknowledged that the UAE has a transition plan. “He knows — and the leadership of the UAE is committed to transitioning.”

Still, Abu Dhabi plans to increase its production of crude oil from 4 million barrels a day up to 5 million even while the UAE promises to be carbon neutral by 2050 — a target that remains difficult to assess and one that the Emirates still hasn’t fully explained how it will reach.

Kerry pointed to a speech al-Jaber gave Saturday in Abu Dhabi, in which he called for the upcoming COP — or Conference of Parties — to move “from goals to getting it done across mitigation, adaptation, finance and loss and damage.” Al-Jaber also warned that the world “must be honest with ourselves about how much progress we have actually achieved, and how much further and faster we truly need to go.”

“He made it absolutely clear we’re not moving fast enough. We must reduce our emissions. Kerry stated, “We have to accelerate this transition significantly.” “So I have great confidence that the right issues are going to be on the table, that they’re going to respond to them and lead countries to recognize their responsibility.”

The country hosting the U.N. negotiations nominates each year a chairperson. As it is often difficult to manage the conflicting interests of different nations, host countries usually choose a veteran diplomat. The nominee’s position as “COP president” is confirmed by delegates at the start of the talks, usually without objections.

Al-Jaber is Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s trusted confidant. He also led a once-ambitious project to erect a $22 billion “carbon-neutral” city on Abu Dhabi’s outskirts — an effort later pared back after the global financial crisis that struck the Emirates hard beginning in 2008. He currently serves as chairman of Masdar (a clean energy company) that grew out the project.

Activists still remain skeptical about al-Jaber. During COP27 in Cairo, November, a call from countries including India for a phase-down of oil and natural gases was not discussed publicly.

Activists are concerned that COP held in a Mideast country dependent on fossil fuel sales for a second consecutive year could lead to something similar in the Emirates.

Asked about that fear, Kerry said: “I don’t believe UAE was involved in changing that.”

“There’s going to be a level of scrutiny — and and I think that’s going to be very constructive,” the former U.S. senator and 2004 presidential contender said. “It’s going to help people, you know, stay on the line here.”

“I think this is a time, a new time of accountability,” he added.

Still, the Emirates and the U.S. maintain close military relations, Washington doesn’t like Washington’s policy decisions, regardless of which federation they are.

Dubai’s Jebelali Port is the most frequented port of call for U.S. Navy personnel outside of America. There are approximately 3,500 American troops in the country. They can be found at Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Air Base or a Navy outpost located in Fujairah. The UAE currently has $29 billion in defense sales with the Americans. This includes purchasing the most advanced air defense system known as the acronym THAAD.

Russia’s aggression on Ukraine has prompted a reckoning by Europeans on their dependence on Moscow for winter heating. Even though it has been unusually warm, Europeans are looking for alternative gas sources and renewables to help fill any gaps.

“No country is advantaged by having a petro-dictator be able to control their future and their prices and their economy with reckless behavior,” Kerry said, referring to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

“To the degree there’s something that’s coming out of it that will change things for the better, that is Europe’s deep commitment to big reductions in emissions and to a whole shift in the nature of their energy supply,” Kerry said.

___

Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.

Previous post Telfar is dropping logo wallets in 17 colorways
Next post First time Australian Open win for Chinese man