The Financial Times reports that there are concerns over the COP28 climate summit in Dubai later this year after speakers at the United Arab Emirates climate and health conference were told not to protest and "not to criticize corporations," referring to the Gulf state's laws in the warning. The report said organizers at last month's Forecasting Healthy Futures event in Abu Dhabi advised panelists to be "aware of and respect UAE laws" and warned them not to "criticize Islam, the UAE government, corporations or individuals ” and “they did not protest”. The written guidelines, seen by the FT, added: “We understand that climate change can be a controversial topic and we welcome all perspectives and views in civil debate across the programme. Protests are illegal in the UAE and all cases of disruptive protests will be dealt with by local authorities." Responding to the FT, a spokesperson for COP28 in the UAE said the conference "will take an inclusive approach involving all stakeholders from the public and private sectors, civil society, science communities, women and youth' and 'will welcome inclusive, constructive dialogues that will facilitate consensus building to achieve ambitious climate outcomes'. The spokesperson adds that the organizers will provide a "safe space where all voices can be heard".

Attracta Mooney and Aimee Williams, Financial Times, Carbon Brief