WASHINGTON: Presi­dent Joe Biden will miss the latest UN climate summit in Dubai, after two years of attending the talks in hopes of highlighting US leadership, a US official said.

Some 70,000 people, including national leaders and Pope Francis, are expected at COP28 as it opens on Nov 30, in what could be the largest UN climate summit ever. COP28, which will be held until Dec 12, is due to be attended by 167 world leaders, including King Charles III and Pope Francis.

Schedules released by the White House for Biden and Vice President Kam­a­la Harris showed neither heading to Dubai this week.

A US official confirmed Biden was not planning to attend COP28 this week or during a second window close to the end of the talks. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Biden administration was still “discussing whether to send a top-level official” to Dubai.

The official did not give a reason for Biden’s decision. But Biden has been focused for more than a month on the war between Israel and Hamas and is also looking to highlight his domestic agenda with less than a year to the US presidential election.

John Kerry, the US climate envoy and former secretary of state and senator, will be leading day-to-day negotiations for the US.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2023

Opinion

Accessing the RSF

Accessing the RSF

RSF can help catalyse private sector inves­tment encouraging investment flows, build upon institutional partnerships with MDBs, other financial institutions.

Editorial

Madressah oversight
Updated 19 Dec, 2024

Madressah oversight

Bill should be reconsidered and Directorate General of Religious Education, formed to oversee seminaries, should not be rolled back.
Kurram’s misery
19 Dec, 2024

Kurram’s misery

THE unfolding humanitarian crisis in Kurram district, particularly in Parachinar city, has reached alarming...
Hiking gas rates
19 Dec, 2024

Hiking gas rates

IMPLEMENTATION of a new Ogra recommendation to increase the gas prices by an average 8.7pc or Rs142.45 per mmBtu in...
Geopolitical games
Updated 18 Dec, 2024

Geopolitical games

While Assad may be gone — and not many are mourning the end of his brutal rule — Syria’s future does not look promising.
Polio’s toll
18 Dec, 2024

Polio’s toll

MONDAY’s attacks on polio workers in Karak and Bannu that martyred Constable Irfanullah and wounded two ...
Development expenditure
18 Dec, 2024

Development expenditure

PAKISTAN’S infrastructure development woes are wide and deep. The country must annually spend at least 10pc of its...