COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber speaks at a media briefing on the latest developments of COP28, or the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Dec 10, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

DUBAI - Parties to the UN climate summit are making progress in talks for reaching a consensus on issues at stake but not fast enough, COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said Sunday, stressing that "failure is not an option."

He made the remarks when briefing on the latest developments of COP28, or the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, ongoing in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

"The clock is ticking ... We need to move much faster," said Al Jaber, noting that "we need to discuss openly" and address the issues of concern in a fair and just manner.

ALSO READ: COP28 sets eyes on AI to fight climate change

He said parties around the negotiation table need to find consensus and common ground on fossil fuels and come to deals on the sources of finance and support for the just energy transition.

COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber speaks at a media briefing on the latest developments of COP28, or the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Dec 10, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The COP28 president called for "everyone to come prepared with solutions to come ready to be flexible to compromise, to rise above self-interests and to start thinking (about) common good."

He highlighted the talks as an opportunity to "deliver an outcome that is based on the science, led by the science, and equipped with the science."

"Failure is not an option," said the president, who urged all parties to "stay focused on the task at hand and do their part to get us to the finish line."

READ MORE: COP28: UN chief urges leaders to agree on deep emission cuts

COP28 is being held from Nov 30 to Dec 12. The UN climate change conference has gathered more than 110,000 registered participants from around the globe to work out a solution to the pressing climate crisis facing all countries.