Former U.S. President Obama to Attend COP26... Speech on Climate Change Measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Former U.S. President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which CNN reported on the 29th (local time) as "an effort to restore global trust in U.S. leadership."

According to the report, former President Obama will attend the conference held next month in Glasgow, United Kingdom, deliver a speech on climate change measures, and meet directly with citizen activists from various countries attending the conference. It is highly unusual for a former president to participate in an event with world leaders.

CNN cited close aides saying that former President Obama wanted to restore global trust in U.S. leadership on climate response issues and help the U.S. regain its position in climate alliances after the Trump administration.

John Podesta, who was former President Obama's chief of staff, said, "(Former President Obama) still has supporters worldwide," adding, "Polls show that young people are despairing whether politicians can solve this issue, but they see former President Obama as an inspiring figure on this matter."

Former President Obama's attendance was initiated by proposals from citizen activists. An anonymous source said that John Kerry, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, concretized this, and the White House is also seeking assistance, CNN reported.

However, despite Obama's appearance, CNN assessed that the world remains skeptical about whether the U.S. can keep its promises.

Former President Trump shocked member countries by reversing the commitment to comply with the Paris Agreement at the 2017 G7 summit and mentioning the possibility of withdrawal, eventually withdrawing from the Paris Agreement.

President Biden has also allocated a budget of $555 billion (approximately 649.3 trillion KRW) to address climate change but is facing difficulties due to congressional obstacles.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.