Ministerial meetings started on Friday at the COP28 UN climate change conference in the United Arab Emirates.

The first "global stocktake" is underway at the conference, which opened on November 30 in Dubai. The assessment takes place every five years to see how much progress countries and other stakeholders have collectively made to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The focus is on how wording on reducing fossil fuels will be incorporated in the agreement document.

UAE Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who is chairing COP28, said, "All of us, small and large, can make a difference."

He urged parties to deliver the most ambitious decision possible.

Major Western countries and island nations vulnerable to climate effects are calling for the need to phase out the use of fossil fuel. But oil producer Saudi Arabia, as well as India and China, whose economies have grown rapidly, are opposed to using the term "phase out" in the agreement.

Tough negotiations are continuing. Japan's Environment Minister Ito Shintaro is expected to attend from Saturday and announce support for developing countries.