Short absence – Van der Bellen becomes ill: trip to Dubai is cancelled

“Due to a flu-like infection, the Federal President unfortunately has to cancel his participation in the World Climate Conference at short notice,” the presidential office said this morning. Austria will be represented at COP 28 by Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) and Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens).

Meetings with the UN Secretary General cannot take place either
The Federal President would have been in the desert metropolis until Sunday as planned. In addition to the three-minute speech to his colleagues, a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was also planned.

Meanwhile, the climate conference has started discussions on disaster relief for poor countries. Delegates from almost 200 countries have a proposal to set up a fund to deal with the consequences of climate disasters such as floods or droughts.

Coal, oil and gas in focus
The real focus of the two-week UN meeting is the first global agreement on phasing out the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, which are responsible for increasing carbon dioxide and thus global warming.

The Emirati hosts are counting on a quick agreement on the disaster fund to pave the way for reducing global CO2 emissions. Diplomats expect Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands to announce contributions to the fund if it is established in the coming days. Poor countries have been asking for it for years. The EU has also pledged a “substantial contribution”, but wants China and the Emirates to follow suit.

Industrialized countries versus developing countries
As is often the case, a sticking point in the negotiations is bridging the gap between industrialized and developing countries. The latter are pushing for an agreement to replace fossil fuels with clean energy. Furthermore, many non-industrial developed countries are reluctant to transition away from fossil fuels because they believe they are necessary for the growth of their economies.