The forthcoming state and historic visit of President François Hollande of France to the Philippines augurs well for our country and the rest of the world.
The French president will be accompanied by a high-profile official delegation of Hollywood A-listers, global leaders and United Nations officials for a concerted effort to combat climate change and to again remind world leaders of the need to care for Mother Earth, first and foremost.
As a prelude to the COP21 (Conference of Parties ) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held in Paris in December this year, President Hollande is on the right track in inviting these luminaries to join him on a state visit to the Philippines as a run-up to the Paris meeting on climate change.
The Philippines, as an island nation, is not only an ally but should also play a key role in this momentous meeting, considering that it bears the brunt of climate change, which could wreak havoc in our country and other parts of the world.
—PEDRO V. REFUERZO JR., jn_refuerzo@yahoo.com