Denmark’s Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has sent out 191 invitations to the world’s heads of state and government to take part in December’s U.N. Climate Summit in Copenhagen (COP15), and so far 60 have said they will attend the event.

“I sent out invitations to all of the world’s heads of state and government to come to Copenhagen on December 17 and 18 so that we can reach a major political agreement. With all due respect for the relevant ministers, it is necessary that the heads of state and government come to Copenhagen if we are to secure a major and worthwhile agreement,” Løkke Rasmussen says.

“Particularly because this is not just about climate, but also about the economy. On the other hand, it’s not just about the economy, but also about climate – so it’s at the level of heads of state and government that agreement can be reached,” the prime minister adds.

Brazil and others
Among over 60 nations who have already said they will be sending their most senior representatives are Australia, France, Britain, Germany and Brazil. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil is seen as one of the key heads of state and government due to his good contacts with the developing countries that are seen as key to a global agreement.

Although President Obama has not yet definitively said he will come to Copenhagen, he has raised the possibility.

“If I am confident that all the countries involved are bargaining in good faith and we are on the brink of a meaningful agreement and my presence in Copenhagen will make a difference in tipping us over the edge, then certainly that's something that I would do,” Obama told Reuters 10 days ago.

Optimistic PM
Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen says that he is happy that so many heads of state and government have already said that they will come to Copenhagen, adding that several others have also suggested they will come.

“So I’m an optimist – but also a realist concerning a major political agreement that can later lead to a major comprehensive treaty,” Løkke Rasmussen says.

The COP15 United Nations Climate Summit takes place between Dec. 7 and Dec. 18 at the Bella Center in Copenhagen. Heads of state and government have been invited for the final two days of the conference.