King Charles to participate in COP28 climate negotiations in Dubai and present keynote speech

Sign up for CNN's Royal News, a weekly update that gives you exclusive insight into the activities of the royal family, both in public and behind the scenes. Buckingham Palace announced on Wednesday that King Charles III will be attending the UN's COP28 climate summit in Dubai this year and will be delivering a speech at the opening ceremony.

Last year, the UK government, under the leadership of former Prime Minister Liz Truss, advised the British monarch against participating in the 2022 annual talks, held in Egypt. CNN learned that, after consultations with the government, it was mutually agreed that the climate summit was not the appropriate occasion for the King's inaugural overseas trip as sovereign.

Only a few global leaders have officially confirmed their presence at the talks. It remains uncertain if President Joe Biden of the United States will attend the event in the United Arab Emirates.

The palace stated that the King, who is 74 years old, will deliver his address on December 1 and also hold meetings with regional leaders. His visit coincides with a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with the Israel-Gaza conflict potentially spreading to other nations. The statement from the palace further mentioned that the King has been invited by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to attend the Opening Ceremony of the World Climate Action Summit at COP28 UAE. It also stated that the King's attendance was requested by the Majesty's Government and is scheduled for Friday, December 1, 2023.

During his trip to the UAE, Charles will participate in a reception to inaugurate the COP28 Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum. This two-day event will run concurrently with the UN summit and will be hosted by the COP28 presidency in collaboration with Charles Sustainable Markets Initiative, which he established during his time as Prince of Wales.

The primary objective of this high-level forum is to unite global leaders and influential individuals from the business, finance, and philanthropy sectors. Together, they will strive to advance climate and environmental solutions, ultimately yielding tangible outcomes.

King Charles III has dedicated himself to environmental and climate causes for over fifty years. In 2021, he participated in the COP26 climate talks as the Prince of Wales in Glasgow, Scotland, where he passionately called upon nations to collaborate with industry in order to develop solutions for the climate crisis.

Britain's King Charles III delivers his speech at the State Banquet hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto at the State House in Nairobi on October 31, 2023.

King Charles expressed acknowledgment of Kenya's suffering during the colonial era, yet refrained from issuing an apology. In his speech, he emphasized the urgency of adopting a "war-like footing" globally to address the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.

Last year, instead of attending COP27, the King hosted a pre-COP reception at Buckingham Palace in London, gathering business leaders, experts, and NGOs. Following this, he embarked on his inaugural state visits as monarch, visiting Germany and France.

Additionally, the King played a significant role in supporting the 2015 Paris Climate Accord and engaged in discussions about the agreement's significance with President Donald Trump in December 2019, when the US leader was preparing to withdraw from the pact.