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UAE’s Al Suwaidi backs Al Jaber after Cop28 criticism

By Shruthi Nair

Dr Sultan Al Jaber’s record “speaks for itself”, a senior UAE official has told AGBI.

The Emirates government is facing fresh criticism from international media and lawmakers over the oil chief’s appointment to oversee the Cop28 climate summit later this year. 

Al Jaber oversees UAE oil giant Adnoc, is minister of industry and advanced technology and serves as the chairman of state-owned renewable energy company Masdar. 

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“Dr Sultan Al Jaber has a strong record when it comes to promoting renewable energy and establishing Masdar from scratch,” said Omar Al Suwaidi, undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, during an exclusive video interview at the Make it in the Emirates forum last week.

“He walks the talk,” he added.

In May more than 100 US and EU lawmakers signed a letter calling for Al Jaber to be removed from his Cop28 role, citing his “conflict of interest”.

Cop28 will mark the first global stocktake since the Paris Agreement in 2015. It will be held at the former site of Expo 2020 Dubai from November 30 until December 12.

Watch the video interview to see Omar Al Suwaidi’s comments in full.

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