“Enough statements – it is time for concrete results”: COP31’s new president issues strong call

The 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) has officially begun in Antalya, marking the first time Türkiye has hosted the conference. Türkiye has thereby formally assumed the presidency of COP31.

TodayPress TV reports that COP30 President André Aranha Corrêa do Lago has handed over his responsibilities to COP31 President Murat Kurum, Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kurum drew attention to the growing number of wars, geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties and food security challenges around the world. He said climate change was already affecting the economies, agriculture and daily lives of people in various countries through droughts, floods, water shortages and extreme heat.

The minister stressed that COP31’s main objective was to move beyond statements and deliver tangible results.

“Climate policy is also development, food, energy and urban policy. Above all, it is a policy of protecting humanity’s future. That is precisely why we want to make COP31 an ‘Implementation COP’,” Kurum said.

Türkiye’s key priorities

Kurum highlighted the importance of the Zero Waste initiative in Türkiye’s climate policy. He noted that the movement, launched at the initiative of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, aims to protect natural resources, reduce waste and improve efficiency.

He also announced that, under the “35 by 35 Global Electrification Commitment”, Türkiye aims to increase electricity’s share of final energy consumption to 35% by 2035. The plan envisages the development of renewable energy, energy storage systems, clean transport and green industry.

Climate finance among the key issues

The minister said that at COP29, held in Baku, an agreement had been reached on a target of providing at least $300 billion annually in climate finance for developing countries by 2035. In addition, a call had been made to increase annual financing to $1.3 trillion through public- and private-sector funding.

According to Kurum, the key challenge now is to turn promises into actual financial resources, investments and concrete results. To this end, Türkiye is putting forward the “Climate Action Bridge” initiative. It aims to bring together projects seeking financing with investors, as well as countries in need of technology with partners able to provide relevant solutions.

Kurum said COP31 would be guided by the principles of dialogue, consensus and action. He called on all countries to cooperate in tackling climate change, stressing that responsibility for a shared future must also be shouldered collectively.

Giymat Mahir