During the 30th Annual Middle East Petroleum & Gas Conference (MPGC 2023) in Dubai, Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary-General of OPEC, commended the UAE for its exemplary leadership in addressing climate change and its steadfast commitment to sustainable practices and international cooperation. He expressed OPEC’s tremendous pride in the UAE’s hosting of COP28, which is the culmination of the country’s “Year of Sustainability” initiative.
Al Ghais acknowledged the UAE’s significant achievements in climate leadership, particularly through its net-zero 2050 strategic initiative and substantial investments of $40 billion in the renewable energy industry to date. He lauded the UAE’s astonishing progress in a relatively short span of time.
The OPEC chief further expressed keen interest in the calls made by Sultan Al Jabber, the president-designate of COP28, for a positive, pragmatic, and realistic approach to the climate challenge. Al Ghais emphasized that OPEC believes in accurately diagnosing the challenges, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions rather than misguided narratives of replacing one energy source with another. He emphasized the critical role of technological innovation in achieving this objective, highlighting the heavy investments made by OPEC member countries in hydrocarbon projects, carbon capture utilization storage facilities, and the circular carbon economy. According to Al Ghais, the UAE exemplifies these efforts, showcasing the breadth of measures deployed to tackle the climate challenge. He stressed the need for an inclusive approach, encompassing all people, all fuels, and all technologies in the energy transition.
Addressing recent challenges faced by the oil and gas industry, Al Ghais noted that while he couldn’t speak for everyone, he believed the industry must recognize and take pride in its contributions toward ensuring global energy security while simultaneously reducing emissions across the board.
Al Ghais expressed deep appreciation for the UAE’s leadership role in the energy sector and its efforts to address the climate challenge. He highlighted the UAE’s ability to bring stakeholders together at COP28, reflecting the country’s constructive role as a builder of consensus and collaboration within OPEC and OPEC+. He extended gratitude to the UAE for contributing to the success and vibrancy of OPEC as an organization.
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