Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper will attend the climate change conference in Copenhagen next month, a spokesman announced Thursday.

Harper decided Thursday to attend after American and Chinese presidents announced that they will be at the conference, the Canadian Press reported, citing the spokesman.

Canada has come under strong criticism internationally for reneging on the Kyoto climate protocol and for refusing to sign on to a new deal limiting greenhouse gases unless developing nations are included.

Only on Wednesday, Harper said he would not go to Copenhagen.

The meeting from Dec. 6-18 will seek to work out a new climate- change agreement. At least 65 world leaders are expected to be present.