Today, as Rishi Sunak made his overseas debut as prime minister, he was personally welcomed by his Swedish counterpart.
Ulf Kristersson wrote down his contact information for Mr. Sunak when they met at the Cop27 environmental conference in Egypt.
In an embarrassing snapshot from Sharm El Sheikh, the Scandinavian leader was seen scribbling on a piece of paper in front of Mr. Sunak.
After reconsidering a plan to stay away to focus on local economic issues, the prime minister is attending the gathering of world leaders beside the Red Sea.
In addition to his discussions with Mr. Kristersson and the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, he also participated in a potentially more problematic bilateral encounter.
He had a face-to-face conversation with Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s new far-right prime minister.
At the outset of the bilateral discussion, when media were present, the two discussed home construction and urban planning.
Last month, the Prime Minister and Ms. Meloni, Italy’s first female premier, assumed office within days of one another.
Since the end of World War II, Ms. Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party has governed the country’s first far-right government.
Today he faces several difficult meetings, including one with Emmanuel Macron.
The Prime Minister and French President are scheduled to meet this afternoon at the Cop-27 climate meeting in Egypt, following the Prime Minister’s pledge to “take control” of the Channel migrant issue.
At the Cop27 environmental conference in Egypt, when he met Mr. Sunak, Ulf Kristersson wrote down his contact information using pen and paper.
He had a face-to-face conversation with Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s new far-right prime minister. Last month, the Prime Minister and Ms. Meloni, Italy’s first female premier, assumed office within days of one another.
After reconsidering a plan to stay away to focus on local economic issues, the prime minister is attending the gathering of world leaders beside the Red Sea. he also met with the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (above)
He also met with the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, amidst continued issues with the Brexit agreement covering Northern Ireland.
Despite persistent difficulties with the bloc over the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the Prime Minister met with von der Leyen.
In addition to addressing climate change, the leaders are likely to discuss the conflict in Ukraine and the energy situation.
The pair greeted the media with a smile and a thank you before the meeting.
The Cop27 meeting takes place against a backdrop of more destructive extreme weather around the world, as well as an energy and cost-of-living crisis caused by the invasion of Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
As the Sharm El-Sheikh meeting began, UN experts issued yet another warning that attempts to restrict temperature rises to 1.5C and avert the most devastating effects of climate change were “just within reach.”
The last eight years are on track to be the warmest on record, with sea level rise quickening, the melting of Europe’s Alpine glaciers shattering records, and 2022 bringing devastating floods, drought, and heatwaves.
The subject of funding for losses and damages caused by climate change, such as the destruction of crops, buildings, and infrastructure in less developed nations, is now on the official agenda for the discussions.
Mr. Sunak will use his address at Cop27 to advocate for a “global mission for clean growth,” despite having originally planned to stay at home to work on domestic financial concerns. His opponents have referred to his attendance at the conference as a “sudden U-turn.”
Despite persistent difficulties with the bloc over the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the Prime Minister met with von der Leyen.
This morning, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also met with Kenyan President William Ruto at Cop27.
The Prime Minister chose to attend the event after Boris Johnson indicated he would be traveling at the Egyptian Government’s invitation.
Sir Keir Starmer criticized Rishi Sunak for his first choice not to attend Cop27 in Egypt, pledging that a Labour prime minister would try to “bring together leaders” on climate change.
The Labour leader told reporters during a visit to Imperial College London, ‘The first difference a Labour government would make is that you would have a prime minister who wanted to go to Cop because we realize how important it is, because we realize that it is not just about climate but also about the cost of living, energy, and the next generation of jobs.
You would have a prime minister, a Labour prime minister, on the international stage bringing together world leaders. I believe Rishi Sunak made a grave error when he initially stated that he would not go, as it conveyed the image that the United Kingdom no longer desires to be a world leader.
I believe this is a mistake for our nation, for the global community, and for addressing the climate crisis.
Sir Keir Starmer criticized Rishi Sunak for his first choice not to attend Cop27 in Egypt, pledging that a Labour prime minister would try to “bring together leaders” on climate change.
Today, Rishi Sunak joined the COP27 summit to advocate for a “global mission for clean growth”; yet, he faces a rising dispute about “reparations” to states impacted by climate change.
The Prime Minister is in Egypt for the gathering, his first test on the international scene since assuming the No. 10 position, having reversed his initial decision not to attend.
Developing nations are demanding compensation for extreme weather occurrences caused by climate change, while the United Kingdom implements severe austerity measures and tax increases at home.
Nicola Sturgeon, who has also flown in for the conference, increased the pressure this morning by stating that countries that industrialized first have a “responsibility” to assist “deal with the effects.”
Business Secretary Grant Shapps refused to rule out the possibility, stating that the United Kingdom is “supportive of conversations” taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh.
However, former prime minister Boris Johnson stated at a fringe event that neither Britain nor any other nation has the financial means to pay restitution.
While acknowledging that the United Kingdom was responsible for significant carbon emissions, he suggested that private investment and technical solutions should be prioritized. “Let’s look ahead,” he continued.
Mr. Sunak may have an awkward encounter with his predecessor in the future, despite the premier’s insistence that “no hatchet needs to be buried.”