The final statement of the 12th Arab Energy Conference noted that "fossil fuels will remain the main energy source for decades to come," following disagreements over phasing them out that led to the extension of the United Nations climate change conference (COP28) today, Tuesday. Disputes are ongoing among participants at the conference held in the UAE, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), with some calling for a "phase-out" of oil, gas, and coal as the main causes of global warming. However, oil and gas producers and others view attempts to limit fossil fuel use as a blow to their economies.
Kuwaiti Oil Minister Saad Al-Barak stated during the conference today, "There is an onslaught regarding what is called reducing reliance on oil as an energy source," expressing his astonishment at "the insistence on depriving many peoples and countries, most of which are developing nations, from being a source of economic growth." He added, "What drives the climate issue are values related to human environmental safety and well-being... Let us give the people of this region in Asia and Africa a chance to advance with their resources."
The final statement of the Arab Energy Conference in Doha urged the adoption of development measures concerning the use of fossil fuels, which "requires developing the role of national energy companies and finding a mechanism for cooperation and coordination among them... in order to maintain production levels and work on providing additional production capacities."
Regarding climate, the statement recommended that "all Arab countries adopt balanced development policies that include integrating the environmental dimension into development plans... and investing in renewable energy," hydrogen, and nuclear power. The conference's director, Majid Al-Suwaidi, indicated that the UAE's presidency of the conference aims to achieve "historic" results, including fossil fuels, but this depends on the participating countries.
