World leaders 'must deliver' at Cop27, says lead UAE official

Majid Al Suwaidi, director general of next year's summit, said there must be results in Egypt

Majid Al Suwaidi, director general of the UAE-hosted Cop28, speaks at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in October. Victor Besa / The National

A top UAE official said it was crucial the Cop27 summit in Egypt had a successful outcome, with the world's public demanding action on climate change.

Majid Al Suwaidi, director general of Cop28, said the UAE was in “listening mode” at this year’s climate summit in Sharm El Sheikh.

Speaking to The National in the Egyptian resort town on Sunday, he said it was the UAE’s job to hear where the countries stood and what they want to achieve.

The public and society are really calling for action. This process has to step up and deliver

Majid Al Suwaidi,
director general, Cop28

“We really are in listening mode,” he said. “It is important to have a positive outcome as we are host country for Cop28. Our job as president is to steer this process towards a successful outcome in the UAE.”

The UN’s annual climate summit, Cop27, has opened in Egypt, with more than 120 world leaders expected to attend the crucial event in Sharm El Sheikh.

But a tough two weeks of talks lies ahead amid a challenging global landscape.

When asked about some opinions that prospects for major breakthroughs at Cop27 were gloomy, Mr Al Suwaidi said he had attended a lot of Cops and all of them had gloomy predictions at the start.

“For me that is not a barometer of whether Cop27 will be a success or not,” he said. “Our Egyptian colleagues and friends are strong, know the issues and understand well how to run the process. We followed them through the year.

“They have done a phenomenal job [and] I’m really confident they will come out with some positive outcomes.”

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  British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arriving in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, to attend the Cop27 summit. Getty Images

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  A dancer performs the 'Tanoura' during a street performance in Sharm El Sheikh. EPA

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  Cop27 President Sameh Shoukry speaks at the climate change conference in Sharm El Sheikh on Sunday. EPA

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  Participants and delegates meet in the Pacific Island pavilion at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre, on the first day of Cop27. AFP

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  Participants meet at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre on the first day of Cop27. AFP

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  Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN's Framework Convention on Climate Change speaks at the climate summit in Sharm El Sheikh. EPA

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  Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Hoesung Lee attends the Cop27 opening ceremony. AFP

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  From left to right, the UN's climate change communications officer, Alexander Saier; Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN's Framework Convention on Climate Change; and Cop27 President Sameh Shoukry listen to questions following the opening ceremony. AFP

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  Alok Sharma, president of the Cop26 climate summit, speaks at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. AP

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  Delegates arrive at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Mahmoud Nasr / The National

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  Delegates arrive at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Mahmoud Nasr / The National

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  Delegates arrive at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Mahmoud Nasr / The National

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  Activists demonstrate at the entrance of the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre. Reuters

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  Delegates arrive at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre for Cop27. AFP

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  More than 120 world leaders plan to attend the crucial event in Sharm El Sheikh. Reuters

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  The summit comes at a critical moment with the world regularly experiencing extreme weather events that many – including the UN – have linked to climate change. Reuters

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  Two key areas on the agenda are trying to keep the Paris goal of 1.5ºC warming on pre-industrial levels alive and the issue of finance. AP

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  The summit begins in earnest on Monday when world leaders arrive at the summit for two days of intense talks. They will also deliver addresses to the event. Reuters

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  A delegate from the Cook Islands. AP

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  The main entrance of the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre in Egypt where the Cop27 climate summit is opening today. Reuters

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  Participants visit the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre. AFP

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  Participants at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre. Reuters

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  The climate summit will run from Sunday to Friday, November 18 at the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh. AFP

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  Participants at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre before Cop27 opens. AFP

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  Finance and compensation are expected to dominate two weeks of tough talks in Sharm El Sheikh. Reuters

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  It is also expected Cop27 will hear calls for the historically controversial issue of 'loss and damage' funds to be placed on the agenda for the first time. AFP

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  Pledges on forests and methane made at last year’s Cop26 that are signed by more countries would be welcome. Reuters

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  An illumination of Khafre Pyramid, one of the three ancient pyramids of Giza. AFP

Mr Al Suwaidi said if leaders make enough progress over the next two weeks, that sets up the UAE well for next year’s summit.

“We often look at Cops as the singular event but there is a process that builds up. If Egypt can deliver wins on some of the issues I think that would be a real success and helpful to us.”

Mr Al Suwaidi said there was an urgency at Cop27 to make progress and he had seen it year after year.

“People [are] much more interested in practical solutions,” he said. “The public and society are really calling for action. This process has to step up and deliver.”

When asked about the difficulty of trying to make progress amid the tough geopolitical outlook and soaring inflation, he said many of the challenges are a result of climate instability.

“Look at the energy issues we face globally,” Mr Al Suwadi said.

“There is a danger this detracts from [the] pathway we set up for addressing climate change.

“If [people] are struggling and don’t have the right means to take on new technology you need and renewable energy technology that can be more expensive than conventional fossil fuels — that’s a real issue. That’s why this process is important.

“But among all the challenges, one issue we all agree is around climate change. That bodes well for this process.”

Mr Al Suwaidi said hosting Cop28 next year was a really important moment for the UAE. He said the country had a track record in protecting the environment.

“I think of anybody, I have to be looking forward to it the most. [It is] one of most important events of our new President [Sheikh Mohamed's] term.”