WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) – Instead of US President Joe Biden, his deputy Kamala Harris is traveling to the United Nations World Climate Conference in Dubai. The White House announced this on Wednesday in Washington. Harris will fly to the Gulf Emirate from Friday to Saturday to take part in the meeting. Dozens of other high-ranking US government representatives from various ministries and agencies will also be there, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Climate Representative John Kerry.
The US newspaper “New York Times” reported a few days ago, citing government circles, that Biden was skipping the climate conference. Senior White House officials suggested that Biden was very concerned about the Gaza war.
At the World Climate Conference, around 200 countries will discuss how to contain the climate crisis for two weeks. Around 70,000 participants are expected – making the meeting the largest climate conference ever. The biggest point of contention is whether an exit from coal, oil and gas can be agreed upon unanimously in the end./jac/DP/he