Netanyahu gets long-awaited invite to UAE, will attend COP 28

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog were invited on Monday to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in Dubai in November and December.

The formal invitation was delivered by United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Mahmoud Al Khaja, who met with Netanyahu in his Jerusalem office. The letter was signed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

COP 28 kicks off on November 30, and the prime minister or president and at least five other senior ministers are expected to participate. There will also be days focused on health, water, food security, energy and trade, in which Israeli ministers will participate.

Israeli companies expected to participate

In addition, a delegation of around 100 Israeli companies is expected to participate in COP 28 through the Israeli Export Institute. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett promised in November 2021 at COP 26 in Glasgow that Israel would “channel our efforts [in]to saving our world” by using its brainpower to develop climate technologies.

According to the PLANETech Climate Challenge Map, 637 companies were identified as climate tech startup and growth companies in Israel in 2021.

Netanyahu signed the Abraham Accords on the White House lawn in November 2020 but could never make a much-anticipated visit. He planned a visit shortly after his government was sworn in last year, but the trip was postponed.

The first official visit to the UAE after the Accords was by Bennett in December 2021, followed by a visit from President Isaac Herzog the next month.