US Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to the United Arab Emirates to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai on December 1 and 2, the White House said.
“Throughout her engagements, the vice president will highlight the Biden-Harris administration’s progress on the most ambitious climate agenda in history, both at home and abroad,” spokeswoman Kirsten Allen said.
The vice president will be joined by dozens of senior U.S. officials representing more than two dozen federal departments and agencies, according to the statement.
“The vice president’s participation in COP28 will continue the Biden-Harris Administration’s leadership in bold global action to address the climate crisis, advance the United States’ climate goals, and help ensure a strong outcome for COP28,” Allen said.
He added that the Biden-Harris administration praises the work of the United Arab Emirates and its president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, in organizing this important international event.
In a statement, Biden said Harris would “demonstrate America’s global climate leadership at home and abroad and inspire participants in this important event to set more ambitious global goals.”
Earlier this week, National Security Council Strategic Communications Director John Kirby was asked why Biden would not attend the summit himself.
He responded that the president is “more than capable” of fulfilling his many responsibilities, but that the conflict in the Middle East is “obviously” Biden’s focus of late.
