Susan Aitken has been invited to head to Sharm El-Sheikh for the COP27 conference later this year.

Councillors are being asked to approve travel for the council leader to head to Egypt for four days as world leaders gather for the follow-up to COP26 in Glasgow last year.

The event takes place from November 6 to 18. Aitken is invited to take part in events between November 8 and 10, and is expected to travel on November 7 and return on the 11th.

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The expected cost of the trip for the council leader is around £3300.

Councillors are being asked to approve return flights to Sharm El-Sheikh at around £1500 and hotel accommodation for four nights at £1800.

Glasgow Times:

Egypt, the host country for COP27, chose the popular holiday resort for the location of the conference.

COP26, which saw the biggest gathering of world leaders in Scotland, ended with an agreement known as the Glasgow Climate Pact.

The council said a number of events took place at COP26 for cities around the world to work together on tackling climate change and climate justice.

Greg Hepburn, the  SNP council business manager, said in a report to councillors that COP27 will present a number of opportunities to continue this work.

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Glasgow Times: Getty ImagesGetty Images (Image: Getty Images)

He said: “COP26 gave an opportunity for the city to make common cause with its urban peers from around the world and to bring a strong voice to national governments on these issues.

“Several events took place during COP-time with city networks in the City Chambers, which was branded as the Host City Zone and became the focal point for mayors and urban policy makers for the duration of the event.

“These connections have continued as a key legacy of hosting COP and have given the council opportunities in particular to explore models of climate finance with other cities.”

He added: “The council has been offered several opportunities for the leader to participate in discussions at COP27, both as representative of the previous host city and as a recognised voice on the urban dimension of climate action.”

The events will include representatives of the UK Core Cities invited to sign a charter on sustainability.

Aitken would be expected to speak at events with the UK Cities Climate Investment Commission and lead a mayoral discussion with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe on cities and climate finance.  

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On the purpose of the trip, councillor Hepburn said: “Legacy activities with other cities and city networks has continued since COP26 and provided an important context for learning on issues such as sustainable transport, supporting green economic development, and shared aims around ensuring that a just transition takes place for workers, businesses and communities.

"The arrival of COP27 in November presents a further opportunity to enhance these relationships, ensure that Glasgow has a place in global debate on the most pressing issue of the times, and carry forward further legacy benefits of its COP26 host role."