Undeterred by the horrific terror strikes which claimed 129 lives, France will go ahead with the crucial climate change summit in Paris "as planned" with improved security measures, French Ambassador here Francois Richier today said though the event will see limited non- diplomatic activities.
"On November 30, we are expecting to welcome the Conference of Parties (CoP21) which will be kicked off by a summit meeting where most of the world leaders will be present including the Prime Minister of India. This summit will take place. We have not cancelled the conference.
"It's about another threat to humanity which is climate change. We believe it is of utmost importance that these negotiations can take place. Of course improved security measures will be there and we will limit activities which are not directly linked to diplomatic negotiations," he told reporters here.
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He asserted that France knows how to handle situations and events where top leaders of the world will participate.
Referring to Charlie Hebdo terror attack earlier this year which claimed around 11 lives in Paris, the French Ambassador said during that period thousands of Heads of States and governments had rallied in Paris and "We know how to handle such situations."
"COP21 will run as planned. What we can say today is diplomatic conference aimed at establishing worldwide consensus on climate change will happen and will kick off with summit level talks," he said.
Islamic State jihadists have claimed the responsibility for coordinated attacks late Friday at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Paris on November 30 to take part in the inaugural session of the UN climate change summit along with 80 Heads of States where they will aim to achieve a global climate pact.
Richier had earlier said Modi, US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be among the top leaders who will attend the inaugural session of CoP21 which concludes on December 11.
The Paris Climate Conference will, for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, aim to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.
