The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced that it will allow environmental activists to gather peacefully during this year’s UN climate talks, even though the country has restrictions on unauthorized protests. The UAE, which is hosting COP28 in Dubai from November to December, requires official permission for protests but generally bans demonstrations it deems disruptive.
In a joint statement with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UAE announced that there would be a space available for environmental activists to assemble peacefully and make their voices heard at the upcoming UN climate talks.
This announcement followed a bilateral agreement signed in Abu Dhabi between COP28 President Sultan Al-Jaber and UNFCCC Chief Simon Stiell, which provides the legal framework for organizing and hosting the climate talks. Stiell emphasized the commitment to upholding UN values during COP28.
The decision to host COP28 in the UAE has drawn criticism from environmental groups who are concerned that the involvement of a major oil-exporting country could slow progress in the fight against climate change. Human Rights Watch and other non-governmental organizations have also expressed concerns about the UAE’s restrictions on freedom of expression, which could hinder the participation of environmental activists.
In previous COP meetings, large protests were common, and limited rallies were allowed at the last UN climate talks in Egypt, where authorities often cracked down on demonstrations and restricted activists. The COP27 in Egypt faced criticism for its tight restrictions on protests, including requirements for advance permits, detailed information about organizers, and specific locations for demonstrations with heavy security presence.
