Alok Sharma has criticised new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for saying he will not attend this year’s crunch climate change conference in Egypt.

The COP27 climate conference is being held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt this November, with dignitaries from attending countries set to make commitments to tackle man made climate change.

Alok Sharma, the Conservative MP for Reading West served as the President of the COP26 conference that took place in Glasgow in November last year.

Since then, Mr Sharma has been flying all over the world building relationships and urging countries to fulfill their commitments to reduce pollution.

Last Thursday, it was declared that new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would not attend  “due to other pressing domestic commitments”, according to the BBC.

This comment has since prompted a negative response from Mr Sharma.

READ MORE: Alok Sharma visits USA, Africa and Europe in last three months 

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Mr Sharma said: “I’m pretty disappointed that the Prime Minister is not going.

“I understand that he’s got a huge in tray of domestic issues that he has to deal with. But I would say that going to COP27 would allow for engagement with other world leaders.

“And I think it does send a signal — if the Prime Minister was to go — about our renewed commitment on this issue.”

But Mr Sunak is understood to be reviewing the decision to not attend, according to the publication Daily Business.

Mr Sunak, the Conservative MP for Richmond, became the Prime Minister on October 25 after winning a party leadership contest.

The contest took place on October 24, with no other competitors receiving the support needed to challenge Mr Sunak.

For his part, Mr Sharma has racked up thousands in air miles as COP26 President.

He visited Cairo in Egypt from January 14-16 to ‘secure the legacy’ of the progress made at Glasgow and assist in preparations for COP27.