The 28th UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP 28), scheduled for November 30 to December 12, is preparing to open its doors in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Anticipating an unprecedented gathering, the organizers announced a record influx of more than 70,000 participants. Among them is the highly anticipated presence of Pope Francis. However, a notable absence is already noticeable: that of American President Joe Biden, who chose not to attend this COP28.
Debate around the choice of Dubai
The choice of Dubai as the venue for this major international event has sparked waves of criticism, particularly from environmental activists.
They demand concrete measures to combat global warming. The controversy mainly stems from the fact that the UAE is a major oil producer, generating around 4 million barrels of crude oil per day. This production, sold and consumed globally, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions fueling climate change, as AP news director Jon Gambrell explains.
In addition, the choice of Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of the Emirati oil company Adnoc, to chair this major event is also contested. This appointment raised questions about the neutrality of the decisions taken at COP28, thus fueling the debate on the links between economic interests and real environmental progress.
Call from the head of the UN
Despite these controversies, several figures will mark this COP28 with their presence. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will travel to Dubai to deliver an urgent message to world political leaders. From Antarctica, he urged leaders to take immediate action to combat climate change.
In an unprecedented move, Pope Francis is preparing to deliver a highly anticipated speech. His speech, scheduled for Friday, should denounce the inaction of the nations concerned while encouraging them to drastically reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
The Pope’s participation in this event is historic, marking the first physical presence of a pontiff at a COP summit since its creation in 1995.