On the historic first visit of a French head of state to the Philippines in February, French President François Hollande will be seeking the help of a country battered—but never defeated—by climate change. France is turning to the Philippines as an ally for the environment in hopes of mobilizing the world toward climate action on the run-up to Paris’ hosting of the international climate talks, slated at the end of the year. Hollande will be in the Philippines on Feb. 26 and 27, setting foot at the perennial ground zero of severe weather nine months before France’s hosting of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21). The visit is expected to put a spotlight on the urgency of decisive international action.

Quismundo, T. (2015, January 25). French leader to make PH Ground Zero in climate action. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A6.