The UAE is hosting, starting today Thursday, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change "COP28", which is supposed to push countries to accelerate the pace of transition to clean energy.

The site of the "Expo 2020" international exhibition, located on the doorstep of the desert in the Emirate of Dubai, is transforming over two weeks into a beating heart of climate diplomacy, as the UAE and the United Nations hope to hold a historic conference as significant as the Paris conference in 2015 when countries pledged to limit global warming to less than two degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.

For his part, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Simon Stiell, said on Wednesday, "It is the most important COP since (the) Paris (conference)," adding, "We are taking small steps today, while expecting giant leaps."

This is the second time a Gulf country is hosting the climate conference, after Qatar in 2012. Generally, UN climate conferences are held every year on a different continent. Two years ago, the Asia-Pacific countries unanimously nominated the UAE to host this conference.

Accreditations were granted to more than 97,000 people (delegations, media, NGOs, pressure groups, organizers, technical staff...), which is double the number recorded last year. It is expected that nearly 180 heads of state and government will attend by December 12, the conference's end date, according to organizers. However, it is often extended by one or two days.

Pope Francis also canceled his participation in the conference due to a cold. However, more than 140 world leaders will take the stage in "Expo Dubai" city on Friday and Saturday, after the conference opening on Thursday, to deliver speeches lasting only a few minutes aimed at giving political momentum to the complex negotiations that the delegations will engage in over two weeks.

King Charles III will deliver his speech at the start of the "Leaders Summit" on Friday, while U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose countries are responsible for 40% of the total global greenhouse gas emissions, will be absent.

On Wednesday, the White House announced that Vice President Kamala Harris will participate in COP28, after Biden faced criticism for not attending the conference.

Also, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said on Wednesday: "Without strong action from China and the United States to reduce emissions, we will not win this battle."

With the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas expected to expire on Thursday morning, the gazes of Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas may meet on Friday in Dubai, with only three leaders separating their speeches, according to the order announced by the United Nations.

The Emiratis are preparing for the first days of the conference with a huge number of voluntary climate commitments from countries, such as tripling renewable energy sources by 2030 and increasing financial assistance from rich countries to countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Preparations have also begun to welcome many companies that will intensify their announcements in this field.

When asked about the chances of COP28's success, Kerry said on Wednesday, "We judge a tree by its fruit."