FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been pictured meeting with the president of the United States of America as Scotland hosts world leaders during COP26.

The president gave a gift to Sturgeon who received it on behalf of the people of Scotland.

Sturgeon wrote on social media this evening that she was delighted to meet Biden and welcome him to Scotland.

And she added that she "looks forward to him returning" in the future.

The post on the First Minister's official account said: "Nicola Sturgeon is delighted to have received, on behalf of the people of Scotland, a gift from President Biden. She was also pleased to welcome POTUS to Glasgow, and looks forward to him returning to Scotland in future. #COP26."

Pictures show the president and First Minister shaking hands at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.

The gift Biden gave to Sturgeon was a large glass bowl presented in a leather-bound box with a message saying it was presented to the First Minister of Scotland by The US president on the occasion of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, during Biden's official visit of November 1 to 2.

During the summit, the First Minister was also pictured chatting to the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

She also met with several other world leaders including the prime ministers of Palestine Mohammad Shtayyeh, of Belgium Alexander De Cro and prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina to discuss the huge climate challenges facing the planet.

She met too during the summit with the President of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema.