ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber announced a plan to boost UAE energy investments in the US to $440bn by 2035 during a meeting with President Trump. The deal is part of a broader $1.4tn investment framework and involves shifting stakes in key US energy projects to ADNOC’s international investment arm, XRG.

An investigation by Global Witness reveals that ADNOC, under CEO Sultan Al Jaber, utilized his presidency at COP28 to pursue nearly $100 billion in oil, gas, and petrochemical deals. The report details how this move potentially exploited the global climate talks for advancing fossil fuel interests, undermining genuine efforts to combat climate change and raising concerns of conflict of interest.

The article highlights concerns over the appointment of ADNOC's CEO as COP28 president, interpreting this move as part of broader fossil fuel industry tactics that aim to manipulate democratic processes and secure favorable oil and gas deals.

Human Rights Watch reported that ADNOC, the UAE’s state‐owned oil company, has increased its production capacity from four million to five million barrels per day despite growing concerns over climate change and associated labor abuses affecting migrant workers in the region.

The article reports that Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of ADNOC and COP28 president, used his influential position to lobby for oil and gas projects during the conference, promoting his company's fossil fuel interests over a neutral, collaborative climate agenda. This move has raised concerns about the fusion of corporate and political power undermining the integrity of climate negotiations.

The article details how former ADNOC executive Al Jaber leveraged his position and extensive PR and lobbying efforts—through firms like Edelman and GMMB—to influence the hosting decisions for climate-related summits and IRENA, raising concerns over manipulative political engagement and regulatory capture in service of state and corporate interests.

On May 31, 2023, ADNOC signed agreements with over 60 companies to locally manufacture critical non-oil products. The deals aim to accelerate an AED70 billion procurement pipeline ahead of schedule to 2027, inject AED2.84 billion in industrial investments into the UAE economy, and potentially create up to 21,500 jobs by 2031, thereby strengthening the local supply chain and supporting domestic manufacturing.

ADNOC signed agreements with more than 60 companies during the Make it in the Emirates Forum to locally manufacture critical non-oil products. The agreements accelerate a target of AED70 billion in local procurement, inject AED2.84 billion into the UAE economy, and are expected to create up to 21,500 jobs by 2031. This move supports supply chain resilience and domestic economic growth as part of broader decarbonization and industrial initiatives.

On May 31, 2023, ADNOC announced at the Make it in the Emirates Forum new agreements with over 60 UAE-based and international companies to locally manufacture critical non-oil products. The deal, part of a broader initiative that includes accelerating a Dh70 billion procurement target and creating up to 21,500 jobs by 2031, also included a strategic water supply project with Taqa to support sustainable onshore operations.

An investigation reveals that ADNOC's gas expansion projects, including the development of a $548 million pipeline at Lower Zakum, expose migrant workers to hazardous conditions. Concerns include inadequate safety measures, lack of transparent reporting on work-related accidents and deaths, and exploitative labor practices evidenced by low wages and questionable accident investigations.

In January 2023, reports indicated that ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber was anticipated to be appointed as COP28 president. This move has raised alarm among environmental activists and civil society groups, who warn that retaining his dual role at ADNOC and as COP28 president creates a significant conflict of interest and risks the independent integrity of international climate negotiations. ADNOC did not respond to requests for comment.