The COP26 was originally due to take place in November last year but was delayed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Now nearly a year later, world leaders will soon descend on Glasgow in Scotland alongside senior members of the Royal Family including the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William, and UK leaders including Prime Minister Boris Johnson aiming to tackle the pressing issue of climate change. Express.co.uk has compiled a full list of all nations attending the upcoming climate conference.
This year will be the 26th annual summit and as the UK is President, it will take place in Glasgow.
In the run-up to COP26, the UK is working with every nation to reach an agreement on how to tackle climate change.
World leaders will arrive in Scotland, alongside tens of thousands of negotiators, government representatives, businesses and citizens for 12 days of talks.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was last week warned China’s President Xi Jinping is unlikely to attend the climate conference which begins on October 31 and ends on November 12.
Chinese officials reportedly have not entirely ruled out a change of plans.
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The speculation about those attending or not attending came after the Queen appeared to suggest she is irritated by people who “talk” but “don’t do”.
Queen Elizabeth II’s reported remarks were overheard during the opening of the Welsh Parliament on Thursday.
She is due to attend the climate conference but said she was unsure who is coming to the event.
Video clips featuring the Queen’s conversation during the opening of the Senedd were picked up by the event’s live stream camera, according to the Daily Mail.
The Queen appears to say: “I’ve been hearing all about COP… I still don’t know who’s coming.”
In another clip, the Queen expressed her irritation about those who talk but take no action.
She said: “We only know about people who are not coming.”
The Queen added: “It’s really irritating when they talk, but they don’t do.”
Those unable to attend or still to confirm attendance
Chinese President Xi Jinping is reportedly not expected to attend in person.
Instead, the Chinese leader is likely to make a virtual appearance by video.
Pope Francis is not expected to attend with a Vatican source claiming there is a chance he would address the conference by video or the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin would read a message on his behalf.
The Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Vice President Hamilton Mourao will not attend COP26.
The Kremlin has not yet confirmed if Russian leader Vladimir Putin will attend, with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador not going and the nation unlikely to send anyone because of pandemic restrictions and costs.
South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa is not attending because of local elections due to take place on November 1.
The new Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has not confirmed he will take part in the climate conference but has said he is still considering how he will participate, including the possibility of taking part online.
Express.co.uk will update this page with more information when it is available.