President Biden will not attend the COP28 climate conference held in Dubai. The White House announced the decision on Friday, without providing a specific reason for the President’s absence. The COP28 summit, scheduled to run from November 30th to December 12th, is aimed at accelerating global climate action.
Although President Biden will not be present, several members of his administration are expected to participate in the summit. The U.S. delegation will likely represent the nation’s commitment to addressing climate change, even with the President’s absence.
Biden’s decision not to attend raises questions about the U.S.’s engagement on climate issues. He attended the COP26 summit in Glasgow in 2021 and COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, last year, underscoring the importance his administration placed on international climate diplomacy. Some observers suggest that domestic political priorities or other international crises might be the reason for this year’s change in plans.
This absence could potentially affect negotiations and discussions at the summit, as the U.S. is a key player in global climate politics. Many will be watching to see how the U.S. delegation navigates the summit without the President’s direct involvement. The U.S. commitment to reducing emissions and contributing to climate finance goals remains a critical component of the global effort. The world will be watching how strongly these commitments are followed through during this conference.
