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Speakers at a climate and health conference in the United Arab Emirates were told not to protest or “criticize companies”, citing laws in the Gulf state in warnings to activists ahead of the country’s hosting of the United Nations’ COP28 climate summit this year.
Organizers advised panelists to “know and respect UAE law” at the Predicting Healthy Future event last month in the UAE capital and its richest emirate, Abu Dhabi, warning: “Don’t criticize Islam, the UAE government, companies or personally”, and “Do not protest”.
The written guidance, seen by the FT, added: “We understand that climate change can be a contentious topic and we welcome all views and opinions in civil discussions across the program agenda. Protests in the United Arab Emirates It is illegal and any disruptive protests will be dealt with by local authorities.”
Climate activists say curbs on free speech spark more debate over oil-rich UAE’s suitability hosts the annual UN climate summit, will be held in November and December. The “window is rapidly closing” to limit global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, top scientists have warned.
“This is deeply concerning,” said Collin Rees of Oil Change International, a US climate group. “The language circulating here is unacceptable in climate negotiations. There should be strong opposition to this and the UN should provide the strongest possible venue for the upcoming COP.”
Large protests often coincide with annual climate events, with around 100,000 people taking to the streets of Glasgow on the day Britain hosted COP26. The summit was attended by a large number of civil society groups critical of fossil fuel companies.
The Conference on Health in the Context of Climate Change is organized by Forecasting Healthy Futures, a group of health and technology organizations convened by Malaria No More.
According to the campaign’s website, the FHF’s seed funding was provided by Reaching the Last Mile, a public health and development organization linked to the UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Forecasting Healthy Futures said it had received no “guidance” from Reaching the Last Mile “or any other UAE individual or institution”.
It added: “In order to protect the summit speakers and panelists from any actual or perceived breach of UAE law, and given the expected online coverage of the event, where misquoting or mischaracterization may occur, we have independently exercised caution Publish guidance covering the broadest interpretation of defamation in UAE criminal law.”
COP28 Director-General Majid al-Suwaidi delivered a keynote speech at the FHF conference, saying the upcoming summit will take an “inclusive” approach to climate change.
Lise Masson, climate justice and energy advocacy officer at Friends of the Earth International, said the COP has long suffered from “corporate capture”. “We’re preparing this COP to be an extreme and intense iteration of something that isn’t new,” she said.
Cherelle Blazer, senior director of the Sierra Club, a US climate group, said it was “vital” for members of civil society groups to attend the COP, even though it was being held in “a place that was opposed to protests”.
The host country has already come under scrutiny for appointing Sultan al-Jaber, head of Abu Dhabi’s state oil company Adnoc, as COP28 chair.
Last year’s COP summit in Egypt ended to the disappointment of many as fossil fuel producers, including Saudi Arabia, blocked other countries from pushing for a commitment to phase down all fossil fuels in a final agreement.
A COP28 UAE spokesperson said the conference would “take an inclusive approach, engaging all stakeholders from the public and private sectors, civil society, the scientific community, women and youth” and “welcome inclusive, constructive Dialogue to foster consensus and drive ambitious climate change outcomes”.
They said organizers would ensure “a safe space where all voices can be heard”.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which oversees the summit, said the COP venue would be an “extraterritorial space” managed by the United Nations.
“Meaningful participation of all actors in society in the UNFCCC process and the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) is integral to the success of these events,” it said.
Additional reporting by Camilla Hodgson in London
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