More than 100 members of Congress and the European Parliament last month urged U.S. President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to pressure the UAE government to oust Sultan al-Jaber from the COP job, saying his dual position could undermine negotiations.
"I think that he's perfectly positioned within our system. He understands the process, he understands the players, he has the political contacts," COP28 Director General Majid Al Suwaidi told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday on the sidelines of UN climate talks in Bonn. "We need a mindset of delivery. For the first time, Dr. Sultan is asking: What are the specific targets that are going to get us to achieve the goals of Paris by 2030?" Al Suwaidi said, adding that it was important to include the private sector in the negotiations.
Al Suwaidi dismissed criticism that the designate COP presidency has been vague about its agenda and timetable, saying his team put out the summit's thematic days for comment a month ago and was now refining that according to the feedback received.