Biden to skip U.N. Climate Summit, says White House Official

White House officials announced Sunday that US President Joe Biden will not attend a key United Nations climate meeting starting Thursday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, skipping a gathering set to be attended by King Charles III, Pope Francis, and leaders from almost 200 countries. The official, who requested anonymity in order to disclose the president's agenda, did not elaborate on why Biden will not attend the two-week gathering known as COP28.

The White House has revealed the president's schedule for Thursday, which includes a bilateral meeting with President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco of the Republic of Angola and attendance at the National Tree Lighting. At the Dubai gathering, dozens of countries intend to press for the world's first agreement to phase out CO2-emitting coal, oil, and gas.

In Biden's absence, Kerry and his entourage will attend the summit. Leaders like as King Charles III and Pope Francis are expected to attend. The Dubai gathering will be Biden's first absence from a UN climate conference - an annual event conducted in a different venue each year - since becoming president. Most previous US presidents have not attended the meeting every year, but Biden's absence is certain to enrage climate activists. Officials attending the meeting will analyse and debate their positions on controlling greenhouse gas emissions and global warming temperatures.