MANILA, Philippines – When French President François Hollande comes to the Philippines for a two-day state visit, he and President Benigno Aquino III are expected to sign cooperation agreements on various areas, including health, tourism, academic exchanges, and trade and development.

The two will also talk about terrorism, following the deadly extremist attacks in Paris, and launch a call for action, asking the global community to fight climate change.

In a statement released on Monday, February 23, the French embassy in the Philippines said the visit is meant “to expand and strengthen bilateral ties between France and the Philippines and to highlight the Philippines as a partner in the fight against climate change.”

It “comes at a dynamic phase in the bilateral ties between the two countries and at a time when international negotiations on the environment approach a crucial stage,” the statement said.

“This visit has two important aspects. First, it is to highlight the very positive phase in the bilateral relations between France and the Philippines. The French President would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm the friendly ties between our two countries,” French Ambassador Gilles Garachon said.

The second important aspect, said Garachon, is the issue of climate change.

The leaders will hold bilateral meetings in Malacañang, and is expected to release a joint declaration, before launching a call for the global community to act against climate change. Specifically, they will rally to support for the signing of a climate agreement during the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21) in France in December 2015.

According to the statement, “COP 21 is vital as 195 governments will endeavor to sign an ambitious and legally binding agreement to limit global warming below 2°C, before the effects of climate change become irreversible.”

Garachon added: “We would like to call on all leaders involved in international climate negotiations to reach an agreement as soon as possible. We’d like to make this call with the Philippines because your country is very much involved in the climate issue. The Philippines, though very vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, has a positive and constructive international stand.”

Hollande’s visit will be the first to the Philippines by a French head of state since Philippine independence in 1946.

Visit to Guian

Hollande will arrive at the Villamor Airbase at 11 am local time on Thursday, February 26, and will lay a wreath at the Rizal Monument at 11:30 am as is tradition with visiting heads of state.

At 1 pm, he will attend a business forum on climate change and exclusive growth, before an inter-university forum. He will then go to Malacañang at 4 pm for the launch of the Manila Call to Action for Climate Change.

On his second day, he will visit Guian, Eastern Samar, which was badly hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). He will meet with local fishermen and walk through the town proper. He will then meet with the French community in the Philippines before his departure.

Hollande will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Laurent Fabius, Minister of State for Development and Francophony Annick Girardin, Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, Ségolène Royal, and France’s Special Envoy for the Protection of the Planet Nicolas Hulot.

Other French personalities known for their environmental advocacies will also be in attendance, such as actresses Marion Cotillard and Mélanie Laurent, Patriarch Bartholomew I of the Orthodox Church, and other Frenchi businessmen, and officials of international organizations. high officials from various international organizations. – Rappler.com