UAE vows to let activists ‘assemble peacefully’ at upcoming UN climate talks

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates says it will allow environmental activists to “assemble peacefully” at this year’s UN climate talks, despite a prohibition on unauthorized protests in the Gulf state.

The oil-rich UAE, set to host COP28 from November to December in the business hub of Dubai, requires official permission for protests but effectively bans demonstrations it deems disruptive.

At the upcoming UN climate talks “there will be space available for climate activists to assemble peacefully and make their voices heard,” it says.

The announcement is made today in a joint statement with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) released and published by the UAE’s official WAM news agency.

The statement is released after COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber and UNFCCC chief Simon Stiell signed a bilateral agreement in Abu Dhabi that provides the legal basis for organizing and hosting the climate talks.

“We are firmly committed to ensuring that UN values are upheld at COPs,” the statement quotes Stiell as saying.

Today’s announcement is welcomed by campaign group Climate Action Network International which commends “the COP28 Presidency for their dedicated efforts towards fostering an inclusive climate summit.”

But it warns that it will “resist any attempts to curtail (civil society) participation,” according to Harjeet Singh, its head of global political strategy.

“Our unwavering conviction is clear: there can be no climate justice without human rights,” Singh tells AFP.