UAE Names Al-Jaber to Head COP28 Climate Talks

Sultan Al-Jaber, chief executive of the UAE's Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
Sultan Al-Jaber, chief executive of the UAE's Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
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UAE Names Al-Jaber to Head COP28 Climate Talks

Sultan Al-Jaber, chief executive of the UAE's Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
Sultan Al-Jaber, chief executive of the UAE's Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

The head of the United Arab Emirates' national oil company was named Thursday as president of this year's COP28 climate talks.

Sultan Al-Jaber, chief executive of the UAE's Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), will be the first CEO to take the role at the UN summit, the official WAM news agency reported.

"I sincerely believe that climate action today is an immense economic opportunity for investment in sustainable growth," he was quoted as saying, promising a "pragmatic" approach.

Al Jaber, the UAE's minister of industry, is also the Gulf state's special envoy for climate change and has taken part in more than 10 COP meetings.

He is CEO of Masdar, the UAE's renewable energy company, and has "played a key role in shaping the country's clean energy path", the statement said.

The UAE will host the COP28 climate talks in Dubai in November and December.

More than 70 thousand participants are expected to take part in the conference, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, and private sector representatives.

They will discuss the issue of climate change, and review innovative solutions that support multilateral cooperation and climate diplomacy.



Saudi Energy Facilities, East-West Pipeline Affected by Attacks Recover and Restore Operational Capacity

The Saudi Ministry of Energy logo
The Saudi Ministry of Energy logo
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Saudi Energy Facilities, East-West Pipeline Affected by Attacks Recover and Restore Operational Capacity

The Saudi Ministry of Energy logo
The Saudi Ministry of Energy logo

The Saudi Ministry of Energy announced on Sunday the success of operational and technical efforts in restoring the full pumping capacity through the East-West pipeline, amounting to approximately seven million barrels per day, and recovering the affected volumes from the Manifa field production of around 300,000 barrels per day, all within a short period of time.

The announcement came after it issued a statement on April 9 regarding the impact on certain facilities of the Kingdom’s energy sector due to attacks, including the loss of approximately 700,000 barrels per day of pumping capacity through the East-West pipeline, and the reduction in production at the Manifa field by about 300,000 barrels per day, in addition to the impact on production at the Khurais field by about 300,000 barrels per day.

With regard to the Khurais field, the ministry said Sunday that work is still ongoing to restore full production capacity, adding this will be announced upon completion.

The quick recovery reflects the high operational resilience and crisis management efficiency of Saudi Aramco and the Kingdom’s energy ecosystem as a whole, thereby enhancing the reliability and continuity of supplies to local and global markets, and supporting the global economy, the statement added.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Attacks by Iran, its Proxies on Kuwait

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Attacks by Iran, its Proxies on Kuwait

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the “heinous” attacks carried out by Iran and its proxies on a number of vital facilities in Kuwait.

A ministry statement said on Saturday that “the Kingdom reiterates its categorical rejection of these attacks,” which undermine Kuwait’s sovereignty and constitute a flagrant violation of international law and the UN charter.

“Such violations erode international efforts aimed at restoring security and stability in the region,” said the statement.

The ministry called on Iran and its proxies to “cease all hostile acts against Arab and Islamic countries” and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817.”

The Kingdom also expressed its full solidarity with Kuwait, its government and people, and reaffirmed its full support for all measures undertaken by Kuwait to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability.


Saudi Crown Prince, France’s Macron Discuss Need to Restore Free Navigation in Hormuz

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, France’s Macron Discuss Need to Restore Free Navigation in Hormuz

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held telephone talks on Saturday with French President Emmanuel Macron on the talks to end the war on Iran. 

In a post on the X platform, Macron said they tackled the situation in the Middle East. He renewed his support for the ceasefire, “which should be respected in full and be expanded to include Lebanon without delay.” 

“We also discussed the need to restore free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible,” Macron added. 

“With the negotiations kicking off in Islamabad, we agreed to remain in close contact to help in de-escalation and freedom of navigation and to reach an agreement that ensures permanent peace and security in the region,” stressed Macron. 

Macron also spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging ″respect for the ceasefire and its application to Lebanon.” 

The French leader did not mention the negotiations in Pakistan, but said he and Erdogan ″underlined the need for a robust and lasting diplomatic solution.” 

Macron has been speaking regularly with other world leaders about the war and helping lead efforts for a mission to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once the fighting calms.  

He has been particularly active in pushing for peace in Lebanon, a former French protectorate with close ties to France. 

Macron said on Saturday that he had spoken with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, and had highlighted ‌to ‌him the ‌importance ⁠of de-escalating the current ⁠situation through the ceasefire talks in Pakistan. 

"I stressed the need for ⁠Iran to restore ‌freedom ‌of navigation and ‌security in the ‌Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible, to which ‌France stands ready to contribute. ⁠I ⁠insisted on the importance of fully respecting the ceasefire, including in Lebanon," he said in a post on X. 

“France gives its full support to the Lebanese authorities, who are the only ones who can decide on Lebanon’s destiny.”