OPEC organized an event, "Special Day – OPEC and the youth," on the sidelines of the COP28 negotiations in Dubai, aiming to persuade young people to support fossil fuels, a contentious issue at the climate summit. The event featured a presentation at the OPEC pavilion on the summit grounds, followed by a "campfire chat." OPEC officials conveyed a message emphasizing that rapid population growth would drive continued oil demand, and they argued that renewable energy is both expensive and limited. During the event, OPEC's Secretary General, Haitham Al Ghais, urged attendees to visualize a population boom equivalent to "50 Londons" by 2030. The event saw participation from around a dozen young people, some of whom were anti-fossil fuel activists. Activists from 350.org briefly entered the pavilion chanting slogans calling for the phase-out of fossil fuels, referencing proposed language in the COP28 final agreement. OPEC opposes the inclusion of such language in the final deal and has actively lobbied against it during the climate talks. The event also showcased everyday items made with or powered by petroleum products, such as a soccer ball and a miniature school bus. Critics argue that OPEC missed an opportunity to engage meaningfully with young people concerned about climate change.

SOURCE:GOOGLE