Report: Joe Biden could skip the COP climate summit in Dubai

 Report: Joe Biden could skip the COP climate summit in Dubai

According to a Reuters story, there is still uncertainty surrounding US President Joe Biden's attendance at the 28th United Nations "Conference of the Parties" on climate change (COP28). Sources indicate that Biden is not expected to go. The event is set to happen in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12. 

"At home and internationally, President Biden has spearheaded and executed the most comprehensive climate plan in history. The White House statement said, "The Administration looks committed to a strong and productive COP28, even though we don't currently have any travel updates to share."

Two US officials and a person with knowledge of the event's arrangements have reported that President Joe Biden will not be attending COP28. They issued a warning, saying that his timetable is flexible and not set in stone until it is.

The White House has not released any information about his travel schedule as of yet, and no decision has been made on his involvement.

Difficult Priorities

The continuing Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East and discussions over government spending with the Republican-controlled House of Lords offer a challenge for President Biden's advisors. They also look forward to the next presidential campaign season, which is expected to heat up in January.

Notably, Vice President Kamala Harris represented the United States at the September meeting of the ten-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), since President Biden was unable to attend. Speaking to reporters on Vice President Harris's presence to COP28, a representative said, "We don't have any travel to announce."

28 COP

It is anticipated that COP28 will include talks on gradually phasing out coal, oil, and gas that release CO2. Achieving such a deal would be huge, and it would support the climate agenda, which is important to liberal and younger voters in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election.

President Biden will also have the chance to talk about the continuing Gaza crisis with Arab and international leaders at the summit, after one scheduled session in Jordan earlier this month was canceled. 

Leaders included King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Emmanuel Macron of France, and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt addressed COP27 the year before.

Previous Involvement

Since assuming office in 2021, President Biden has attended both COP meetings, which is a change from his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, who pulled the US out of the Paris Agreement. Following that, President Biden brought the United States back into the global climate change agenda.  

Last year, President Biden's attendance at COP27 was only revealed two weeks before to the conference, when he highlighted the Inflation Reduction Act's climate elements.