President Biden to Skip UN Climate Change Conference Kick-Off in Dubai
President Joe Biden will not be in attendance at the commencement of the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai later this week, as per the U.S. official White House schedule.
The White House has not officially provided a reason for his absence during the initial stages of the annual global climate summit, where other leaders, including Pope Francis, are expected.
Senior White House officials, as reported by The New York Times, cited President Biden’s engagement with the Gaza war as a factor, emphasizing his efforts to secure an extended pause in the fighting and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry, the Biden administration’s key representative for international climate negotiations, is anticipated to be present at the conference in Dubai.
Approximately 200 countries will convene for a two-week period starting Thursday at the United Nations “Conference of the Parties” on climate, COP28, hosted in the United Arab Emirates.
President Biden attended the previous two summits in Scotland and Egypt. Earlier this month, he characterized the climate crisis as the “ultimate threat to humanity.”
The COP28 agenda encompasses setting new targets for the expansion of renewable energies, discussions on a financial fund for damages and losses, and an official assessment of the world’s progress in containing the climate crisis.
