The COP21 French Presidency had made the political choice to invite the Heads of States at the beginning of the climate summit to avoid the bottleneck effect which had contributed to the collapse of the negotiations in Copenhagen in 2009.

This strategy seemed to have paid off by lifting up the debate on climate in a geopolitical environment that was far from being easy. Most Heads of States gave some passionate speeches about the need to protect nature and save humanity and sent many positive signals to the negotiators by advancing concrete pledges and commitments.