Putin to speak at UN climate change summit in Paris, France says

LE BOURGET, FRANCE — Canada's new environment minister was in Paris Sunday taking part in talks to lay the groundwork for this month's UN global climate change summit, which will be attended by more than 100 world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, France’s foreign minister said.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said that Putin has accepted an invitation to attend the conference in Paris. He will be among the speakers on the conference’s first day, along with U.S. President Barack Obama and the leaders of India and China.

The Kremlin hasn’t confirmed Putin’s participation at the so-called COP 21 talks, which aim to reach the most ambitious accord to date limiting emissions that cause global warming.

Organizers expect at least 40,000 people in addition to thousands of activists from environmental, human rights and other groups to attend the Nov. 30-Dec. 11 conference .... https://www.thestar.com