Don't expect to see much of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. at the Western Governors' Association meeting that begins Sunday in Park City, even though he's hosting the event as the outgoing chairman.

Huntsman is only scheduled to offer a brief welcome to kick off the three-day meeting — alongside Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, who will take over as Utah's governor once Huntsman is confirmed as the new U.S. ambassador to China.

Otherwise, said Huntsman spokeswoman Lisa Roskelley, the governor "won't be able to" participate. He has been shuttling back and forth between Utah and Washington, D.C., since President Barack Obama announced the appointment in mid-May.

Huntsman's nomination has yet to be formally made by Obama, however, apparently because the vetting process is still under way. Once that is completed, the Senate is expected to schedule confirmation hearings.

Roskelley said the governor's absence shouldn't affect the meeting, which will focus on a number of environmental issues near and dear to Huntsman, including ways the U.S. and China can work together to address climate change.

Among the participants at the meeting with be a contingent of Chinese officials, but Roskelley said the governor won't be spending time with them, either.

Huntsman had planned in early May to lead a delegation of Western governors to China to start talks on clean energy development. However, the trip was canceled because of concerns over the swine flu outbreak.

The Colorado-based governors' group isn't concerned about Huntsman not being at the meeting, although WGA spokeswoman Karen Deike said he was expected to make appearances on Monday and Tuesday.

"He's been a terrific chairman for the association and is obviously well-respected by his colleagues. I think they were thrilled for him and will obviously miss him," Deike said. "I think it will still run very smoothly."

Huntsman's single term as chairman isn't over until the end of the meeting, but the current vice chairman, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, will be formally elected chairman Sunday.

Only about half of the governors in the association will be at the meeting. Neither Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin nor California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to attend, but the premiers of three Canadian provinces are. Huntsman had also invited Obama, but the president will not be attending.

But Herbert, who will become Utah's governor once Huntsman steps down, is planning on being at the conference. Deike said Herbert will not be able to vote on behalf of Utah, but can, as a courtesy, participate in the meeting. Herbert has scheduled a media availability during Sunday's session.