Dr Sultan Al Jaber refutes reports claiming the UAE planned oil deals during the climate summit.

Dismissing reports from a section of the international media, he said it was an attempt to undermine the work of the COP28 Presidency.

“These allegations are false, false, incorrect and not accurate. “It is an attempt to undermine the work of the COP28 presidency.”

Dr Al Jaber emphasized that the lodestar of COP28 is keeping the 1.5°C temperature rise target within reach and reinforced the honesty and transparency with which the presidency led the entire COP process.

Responding to a question on the same topic, he asked, “Let me ask you a question. Do you think the UAE, or myself, would need the COP or the COP presidency to establish trade agreements or trade relations?

Dr. Al Jaber further described the country’s unique capabilities, saying: “Over the past 50 years, this country has been built around its ability to build bridges and create relationships and partnerships. “No one in this world has been able to master the ability to create win-win relationships and fruitful, productive partnerships like this small country and this young nation.”

Addressing the “talking points” mentioned in the alleged reports, he said: “I promise you. I’ve never seen these talking points referred to or ever used them in my discussions. Another point, every meeting I have held with every government or any other stakeholder has always focused on one thing and one thing only, and that is my COP28 agenda and how we can collectively, for the first time in the history, a mindset that focuses on implementation and action to keep 1.5 within reach.”