PAPEETE – The attacks in Paris have been felt across the Pacific, nowhere – more so – than in the French Pacific territories.

The French Polynesian president has attended a series of events in Papeete to commemorate the victims of last weekend’s extremist attacks in Paris.

Edouard Fritch says these attacks go against the values of the French republic to which French Polynesia belongs.

He called for solidarity and to stand up against barbarity .

He says in the middle of the Pacific, people believe they are sheltered from such horrors.

But, he says, there is no shelter against hatred, intolerance and violence.

Fritch and other government leaders attended events at a high school, at the French High Commission and then mass in the cathedral of Papeete.

Jean-Christophe Bouissou, a government minister in French Polynesia, told Radio Australia that there are large numbers of French Pacific islanders living in France but none were caught up in the Paris attacks. Environmental action group.

“We are very concerned of course about all these killings, what we want to do today is to help France stand straight again.

“We have to sustain the policy of the French government to go after the people who have done this massacre.”

While France has declared a heightened security risk in the wake of the Paris attacks Bouissou said there is no specific or known risk in the French Pacific territories but security will be tightened at airports.

He said there have been displays of support in Tahiti – similar to rallies held in New Caledonia – for France in the wake of the attacks.

He said over 1000 people gathered in central Papeete and to remember the victims.

“Here in French Polynesia we a very shocked about what happened as you also know we have our own kids, our students, going to France – to all the big cities in France – for their studies.

He said, however, that there is no specific advisory suggesting French Polynesian people refrain from travelling to France at this time. He says all airlines servicing Tahiti from France via Los Angeles are flying on schedule

He said the French Polynesia presidential delegation is leaving Tahiti on Saturday bound for the climate talks due to he held in Paris.

The Pacific-based climate action group 350.org said the Paris attacks have only strengthened its resolve to fight for climate justice.

The group is awaiting advice from French authorities about whether it will be safe to proceed with civil action in Paris during the upcoming UN climate summit.

The COP21 talks are set to proceed but there are reports public events linked to the summit may be cancelled amid heightened the security concerns.

About 250 people in New Caledonia gathered in central Noumea to express their solidarity with the victims of the attacks in Paris.

The mayor of Noumea, Sonia Lagarde, said all of France, be it the mainland or the overseas territories, is touched by the events.

A state of heightened alert has been declared in the overseas territories, with security tightened at key points, such as airports and New Caledonia’s nickel plants. - PNC