Joe Biden May Lose Dubai COP Climate Meeting: Report

US President Joe Biden’s participation in the 28th United Nations climate “Conference of the Parties” (COP28) remains uncertain, with sources suggesting he is unlikely to attend, according to a Reuters report . The event is scheduled to take place from November 30 to December 12 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“President Biden has led and delivered the most ambitious climate agenda in history, both at home and abroad. “While we do not have any travel updates to share at this time, the Administration looks forward to a strong and productive COP28,” the White House statement read.

According to information from two US officials and a person familiar with the planning of the event, the President Joe BidenAttendance at COP28 is not confirmed. They warned that their agenda is subject to change and is not official until it is announced.

So far, no final decision has been made about his participation and the White House has not provided any updates on his travel plans.

Challenging priorities

President Biden’s aides face the challenge of balancing the demands of their times, including the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East and negotiations with a Republican-controlled House of Representatives over federal spending. In addition, they anticipate the next presidential campaign season, which will intensify in January.

Also read: COP28 is plagued with problems before it has even started

Notably, President Biden did not attend the September summit of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), delegating Vice President Kamala Harris to represent the United States. When asked about her attendance at COP28, a spokesperson for Vice President Harris stated: “We do not have any travel to announce.”

COP28

COP28 is expected to include discussions aimed at phasing out CO2-emitting coal, oil and gas. Such an agreement would be a significant achievement and would align with the climate agenda, which is a priority for liberal and younger voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

The summit also offers an opportunity for President Biden to engage with Arab and world leaders to discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza, following the cancellation of a planned summit in Jordan earlier this month.

Read also | Mint Explainer: What to expect from COP28 taking place in November in the United Arab Emirates?

The previous year, leaders such as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, King Abdullah II of Jordan and French President Emmanuel Macron attended COP27.

Past participation

President Biden has attended both COP summits since taking office in 2021, marking a shift from his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, who withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement. President Biden later rejoined the United States into the agreement, which is a global initiative to combat climate change.

The previous year, President Biden’s participation in COP27 was announced just two weeks before the event, during which he emphasized the climate provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act.