British PM Rishi Sunak is not generally expected to attend the COP27 climate summit in Egypt one week from now because of “other pressing commitments,” a representative said on Thursday.

The UK will in any case be represented by other senior ministers, as well as by COP26 President Alok Sharma, at the climate summit in Sharm El Sheik, the statement said.

“The government is absolutely committed to supporting COP27 and leading international action to tackle climate change and protect nature,” a representative said.

“The Prime Minister is not expected to attend the summit in Egypt due to other pressing domestic commitments, including preparations for the autumn statement.”

Sharma and the senior ministers who are attending will be attempting to guarantee nations keep on gaining ground on the commitments made at COP26 in Glasgow, the statement continued.

The news comes weeks after British media reports toward the start of October said noted environmentalist King Charles III would miss COP27 after then-Prime Minister Liz Truss encouraged him to drop his plans to attend.

King’s attendance at COP27 had not been affirmed and, following discussions with the government, there was a joint agreement that this wouldn’t be the right event for Charles’ first overseas visit as a sovereign.

King Charles attended the climate change conference as Prince of Wales in 2021.