Sir Keir Starmer will not be meeting with the Taliban during the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, according to Downing Street.

The militant group announced on Sunday that it will be sending representatives to the UN-led conference for the first time since their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, coinciding with the withdrawal of US, UK, and allied forces from the region.

When inquired about the Prime Minister’s stance on this development and the possibility of a meeting with Taliban leaders, a spokesperson from Number 10 stated, “There are no plans to meet with them.”

The spokesperson emphasized that attendance is determined by the event’s organizers, noting, “Overall, the summit is uniting 96 different delegations from around the globe, with the primary goal of enhancing global climate action and collaboration on this critical issue.”

She highlighted the importance of approaching the discussions and the event with a shared objective in mind.

COP summits represent the most significant global gatherings focused on climate change, and this year’s 29th Conference of the Parties is being held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

While Sir Keir Starmer will be present, both the US and Chinese presidents will not be attending the discussions.