US President Joe Biden 'plans to attend' COP27 Egypt climate summit: report

US President Joe Biden "plans to attend" the upcoming COP27 UN climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh next month, according to a report citing US officials.

Biden will likely make an appearance as part of an international tour in November, two White House officials told the Washington Post - but his seat at the summit is "not 100% confirmed". 

About 90 heads of state have pledged their attendance so far, according to Egyptian officials - though new British monarch King Charles III will not be making his way to Egypt for the summit after reports that Prime Minister Liz Truss vetoed his travel plans. 

This year’s meeting will be centered on climate financing and adaptation to climate change, both key issues for poorer countries more vulnerable to the immediate impacts of global warming and extreme weather events. 

Egypt’s selection to host the event was originally supported by the US and UK - but the yearly UN climate summit is having the unintended side effect of placing the country’s poor human rights record under the international spotlight ahead of COP27. 

The Sisi regime has been accused of preventing environmental groups and activists from researching and speaking out about the challenges the country faces as part of a wider crackdown on dissent in Egypt. 

"The Egyptian government has imposed arbitrary funding, research, and registration obstacles that have debilitated local environmental groups, forcing some activists into exile and others to steer clear of important work," Richard Pearshouse, environment director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement last month.

"These restrictions violate the rights to freedom of assembly and association and threaten Egypt's ability to uphold its environmental and climate action commitments," the rights group said of the country's hosting of COP27.

Next year’s summit, COP28, is scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates.