"LONDON - Over 100 members of the U.S. Congress and European Parliament called on Tuesday for Sultan al-Jaber to be removed as the designated head of the upcoming COP28 climate talks, saying the oil exec's appointment threatened the integrity of negotiations.
Jaber, who heads the United Arab Emirates oil giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, was chosen in January to lead the talks. He also serves as the UAE's ministry of industry and technology as well as its climate envoy.
In a letter sent to U.S. President Joe Biden, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the United Nations, the lawmakers voiced "profound concern" that private sector polluters would be able to "exert undue influence" on the climate negotiations, to be held in Dubai later this year.
"We urge you to ... engage in diplomatic efforts to secure the withdrawal of the president-designate of COP28," they wrote."
Gloria Dickie and Kate Abnett report for Reuters May 23, 2023.
SEE ALSO:
"Oil Executive Will Lead World Climate Talks. Lawmakers Are Trying To Oust Him." (Washington Post)
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