President Biden will not attend the upcoming UN climate summit COP28, which begins on Thursday in Dubai. A White House official stated that the president's schedule will not allow him to make an appearance, but did not provide a specific reason. Senior White House aides suggested Biden has been consumed with trying to secure a pause in the war between Israel and Hamas and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Addressing climate change has been a key priority for Biden domestically and internationally. He has emphasized the threat it poses at past summits.