Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Cop28 President-designate and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said there were “too many things dividing our world at this moment” and urged everyone to unite at next month's crucial climate conference in Dubai.
Speaking on Monday at the start of crucial pre-Cop talks in Abu Dhabi, Dr Al Jaber urged global action to tackle the climate crisis, with the summit now just weeks away.
More than 100 delegations and about 70 ministers are in the capital for the two-day event which Cop28 organisers said was more than double the normal number of participants.
“There are too many things dividing our world at this moment,” Dr Al Jaber said in the opening session. “We need to show that the international community can deliver and send a clear signal that keeps 1.5ºC within reach,” he said, referring to the goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Turning to the future of fossil fuels, which are the primary driver of greenhouse gas emissions, Dr Al Jaber said he was aware of “strong views about the idea of including language on fossil fuels and renewables in the negotiated text”.
In referring to the negotiated text and cover decision that is typically published at the end of Cop summits, Dr Al Jaber acknowledged there remained significant debate about “phasing down” or “phasing out” fossil fuels.
“I need you to work together to come forward with solutions that can achieve alignment, common ground and consensus between all parties. We must be pragmatic. And we must leave no one behind,” he said.
Oil and gas sector has a key role to play
Dr Al Jaber said more than 20 oil and gas companies had answered Cop28’s call to end methane emissions by 2030.
“I see positive momentum, as more are joining,” he said. “And we are engaging with all high-emitting sectors, like heavy transportation, aluminium, steel and cement to lay out credible decarbonisation plans.”
Leaders will meet in Dubai from November 30 to December 12 to tackle the escalating climate emergency. Temperatures across the world have reached record highs this year, with extreme weather events becoming common.
The UN has repeatedly warned the world is off track in meeting the goals of the Paris accord, where countries agreed to “pursue efforts” to keep warming to 1.5ºC on pre-industrial levels.
Dr Al Jaber said parties “must do better” in formulating agreements on issues than they had done at previous conferences. “We have no time to waste on disunity,” he said. “We must look beyond short-term thinking, we must end the excuses and delays and redefine our self-interest as common interest.”
Dr Al Jaber urged a robust response to the global stocktake at Cop28 that will assess how the world is measuring up to the Paris deal. He also called for strong outcomes on mitigation and adaptation and “groundbreaking solutions” on finance.
Delivering on pledges
“That includes delivering on the fund and funding arrangements for loss and damage,” he said. “What was promised in Sharm El Sheikh must be delivered in Dubai,” he said, referring to Cop27's loss and damage fund.
He also called for finance to be scaled up to where it is most needed and urged for the $100bn a year climate finance pledge to be delivered.
“Old promises must be kept, like the $100bn pledge. I am grateful for the work of Germany and Canada on this, and their reassurances that things are now on track. But, as I stand here now, I still cannot say with certainty that has been delivered.”
He also outlined the importance of adaptation, which refers to actions that reduce vulnerability to impacts of climate change such as drought-tolerant crops or building flood defences.
“We must end deforestation and preserve natural carbon sinks … it is time for every nation to embed nature-positive investments in national climate strategies.”
The pre-Cop negotiations on Monday and Tuesday aim to drive momentum for the crucial UN summit that is now just four weeks away.
Dr Al Jaber also met ministers and climate leaders at the start of the talks including US climate envoy, John Kerry.
“The world is watching,” said Dr Al Jaber. “Our nations, our communities, our families, our kids, they are all watching. So, let us unite.”
“This process must not fail. We have to come through. We must deliver in Dubai.”
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Results
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
SPECS
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Mane 51', Salah 53'
Chelsea 0
Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Brief scores:
Arsenal 4
Xhaka 25', Lacazette 55', Ramsey 79', Aubameyang 83'
Fulham 1
Kamara 69'
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
