The United Arab Emirates has said it will allow environmental activists to “make their voices heard” and peacefully assemble at this year’s UN climate talks.
The announcement was made in a joint statement with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) published on Tuesday.
“In line with UNFCCC guidelines and adherence to international human rights norms and principles, there will be space available for climate activists to assemble peacefully and make their voices heard,” the statement said.
In the oil-rich Gulf nation, which is set to host COP28 from November to December in the business hub of Dubai, official permission is required for demonstrations but effectively bans protests the authorities consider disruptive.
The joint statement was released after UNFCCC chief Simon Stiell and COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber signed a bilateral agreement that provides the legal basis for organising and hosting the climate talks.
