Venezuela tells COP31 it has a sovereign right to pump more oil

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Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez told the COP31 conference that the country has a sovereign right to expand its oil industry, while also acknowledging the importance of addressing climate change. Her position contrasted with calls at the UN talks in Antalya to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.

By William James and Simon Jessop ANTALYA, Turkey, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez told the COP31 climate conference on Thursday that the country has the sovereign right to develop its oil industry, even as it recognises the importance of combatting climate change. Her comments at the UN talks on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast jar with efforts by other conference leaders to convince global governments to accelerate a shift from carbon-emitting fossil fuels.