As the host of global climate talks that begin this week, the United Arab Emirates is expected to play a central role in forging an agreement to move the world more rapidly away from coal, oil and gas.

But behind the scenes, the Emirates has sought to use its position as host to pursue a contradictory goal: to lobby on oil and gas deals around the world, according to an internal document made public by a whistle-blower.

An Emirati official earlier was quoted by BBC saying that “private meetings are private.” A spokesperson for the climate summit, known by the acronym COP28, called the document “inaccurate” and “not used by COP28 in meetings.” Follow-up questions were not answered.

For instance, talking points prepared ahead of Al Jaber’s meeting with Zhao Yingmin, China’s vice minister for the environment, said that Chinese companies are among the Emirates’ “most strategic partners,” with sales and trades totaling $15 billion over the past year.

In a section prepared for a meeting with Marina Silva, Brazil’s environment minister, Adnoc requests assistance with a bid to acquire Braskem, a major Latin American petroleum company.

“Masdar is aiming to grow its presence in the U.S. through acquisitions in the short term,” read the talking points prepared for meetings with John Kerry, the U.S. special presidential envoy for climate.

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