Minister with responsibility for climate change, Matthew Samuda, is expressing concern over the rumoured reduction in attendance for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29.
The conference, being held in Azerbaijan, begins on Monday and ends on Friday, November 22.
French president, Emmanuel Macron, Russian president Vladimir Putin, Brazilian president Lula da Silva and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen are among those who have signalled that they will not be in attendance.
Speaking on BBC News on Monday, Minister Samuda says he believes global discussions about climate change are falling victim to political issues.
Minister Samuda says despite the expected absences, there is still much to discuss among those who do attend.
He credited the UK government for its leadership in financing climate change efforts in small island developing states.
Matthew Samuda, minister with responsibility for climate change.