14.11.2026 20:11
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum evaluated the first week of the COP31 Summit in Antalya and explained the stage reached in climate negotiations and Turkey's goals. Warning that 19 percent of Cuba could be flooded, Kurum called on countries to fulfill their climate commitments. Kurum also announced that they had demonstrated joint will with China for projects worth approximately 15 billion dollars in the field of renewable energy.
Murat Kurum, President of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, hosted by Türkiye in Antalya, and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, made assessments regarding the first week of the conference and answered questions from members of the press.
Also present at the meeting were COP31 Special Representative Mehmet Emin Birpınar, COP31 Executive Board Chair and Chief Climate Negotiator Fatma Varank, COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş, and COP31 Head of Climate Diplomacy Halil Hasar.
“WE CAN STATE THAT IN THE FIRST FIVE DAYS WE HAVE CREATED A STRONG FOUNDATION IN TERMS OF DIALOGUE”
Stating that 196 countries and the European Union are represented at COP31, Minister Kurum noted that before the Leaders' Summit, participation at the leaders' level from 95 countries and 7 international organizations totaled 102. Kurum, who reported that in the United Nations' initial records more than 97,000 participants were included, stated that an area of 1.1 million square meters was prepared for the conference. Emphasizing that the fundamental approach of COP31 is dialogue, consensus and action, Kurum said, “Diplomacy is the art of building trust among differences. In Antalya, we are working together to grow this trust and turn words into implementation. In the first five days, we can state that in this sense we have created a strong foundation in terms of dialogue.”
“WE AIM TO SECURE A STRONG POLITICAL OUTCOME FROM ANTALYA”
Stating that in the negotiations continuing under the chairmanship of Australia's Chief Negotiator Chris Bowen, the first agenda item was accepted with the consensus of all parties, Kurum said that the work is continuing as planned. Kurum stated that there is broad support for the continuation of the emissions reduction work programme, and noted that countries' views are also converging on the headings of financing for adaptation to climate disasters and a just transition.
Noting that there are issues carried over to the second week, Kurum said, “Of course, there are differences awaiting resolution and important issues carried over to the second week. As the Turkish and Australian teams, we held three rounds of consultations. We have published our first assessment document containing the views of the parties. Next week, through ministerial-level talks, we aim to secure a strong political outcome from Antalya. Our goal is clear and we will achieve it. We will turn the promises made into decisions that touch people's lives.”
“WE WILL SEND A STRONG MESSAGE FROM ANTALYA TO THE WHOLE WORLD”
Answering the question regarding the inclusion of the global electrification target for 2035 in COP31's final decision, Kurum stated that strong support came from countries for Türkiye's Action Agenda. Noting that they set out six goals within the scope of COP31, Kurum explained the targets of the “35 by 2035” Global Electrification Target, reducing the increase in waste generation by 50 percent, raising the rate of reused materials to 15 percent by 2035, and reducing energy intensity in buildings. Kurum, who reported that the first draft containing countries' views and expectations had been published, said, “Now countries will share their views and proposals on this draft with us. In line with the proposals shared, we will share with all countries a text that we will narrow down further, and I believe that within this framework we will reach consensus. We will send a strong message from Antalya to the whole world. In the second decade of the Paris Agreement, I see that together in Antalya we will change things.”
“OUR CONCRETE EFFORTS HAVE STARTED TO YIELD RESULTS”
Answering the question about whether a concrete success was achieved in the first week of COP31, Kurum said that the acceptance of the negotiation agenda with the consensus of the parties was an important development. Kurum said, “Since the first day in Antalya, we have said this: we must bring promises and targets closer to each other. We must close that implementation gap. And frankly, I can openly state to you that our concrete efforts are yielding results and have begun to yield results.”
Stating that more than 30 states have supported the global electrification commitment, Kurum said that organizations such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), which represents more than 45 million companies in over 170 countries, also announced their support. Referring to the Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE) and the Sustainable Urban Resilience Financing Mechanism (SURFF) efforts, Kurum stated that pilot countries had been announced and that work was being carried out to accelerate implementation and increase local governments' access to climate finance.
“19 PERCENT OF CUBA WILL BE FLOODED”
Providing information on the negotiations under the headings of adaptation to climate change, emissions reduction, finance and just transition, Kurum stated that the commitment to triple adaptation finance by 2035 was being addressed.
Stating that there is broad support for continuing the emissions reduction work programme after 2026, Kurum also considered the inclusion of the climate finance work programme on the agenda as important progress. Calling on countries to fulfill their commitments, Kurum used the following expressions: “We invite the whole world to sincerity. 19 percent of Cuba will be flooded. Just now, two ministers of Cuba, our counterparts, stated this. If measures are not taken, this will be lost. Therefore, the world must now sincerely keep its promises. This is an obligation, not a choice.” Reiterating the goal of a common political decision at COP31, Kurum said that consultations are continuing for a balanced, meaningful outcome that leaves no one behind and guides implementation.
“WE ARE NOT EXPECTING A NEW COMMITMENT; WE WANT EXISTING COMMITMENTS FULFILLED”
Also answering the question on climate finance, Kurum stated that the $1.3 trillion financing target had not yet been reached and said that more resources and will were needed. Kurum said, “At this point, we have not even been able to reach 1.3 trillion. The financing targets set out have still not been reached. That is why we say we are not waiting for a new commitment. But we want existing commitments to be fulfilled. This is our call to all other countries.”
Stating that through the Climate Implementation Bridge and SURFF they aim to use existing resources more efficiently, Kurum drew attention to the importance of the participation of local governments as well as young people and all segments of society in climate action. Kurum said, “Countries are increasing their defense spending. But once there is no livable world left, there is no point in increasing defense spending either.”
“WE HAVE SHOWN THE WILL TO IMPLEMENT A PROJECT OF APPROXIMATELY 15 BILLION DOLLARS WITH CHINA”
Evaluating the bilateral meetings held within the scope of COP31, Kurum stated that they held talks with Uzbekistan, China, Russia, Cuba and Egypt and signed memoranda of understanding in various fields.
Kurum stated that they had demonstrated the will to implement a project worth approximately 15 billion dollars with China in the field of renewable energy, and said that consensus had also been reached in the fields of environment, climate change and sustainability.
Noting that they had signed protocols with Russia in the fields of environment and climate change and with Uzbekistan in the fields of environment and urban planning, Kurum stated that talks had also been held regarding the reconstruction of Syria and the sharing of Turkey's experience in the earthquake zone.
"IT WASN'T ME WHO STOOD UP, IT WAS OUR COMMON CONSCIENCE"
Answering the question at the press conference regarding participants standing up during the Palestinian Prime Minister's speech at the COP31 Leaders' Summit, Kurum said, "Actually, it wasn't me who stood up at the summit, at the meeting. It was our common conscience. While the Palestinian Prime Minister was about to make the speech, all the guests present at the meeting stood up, and we all listened to Mr. Prime Minister. In fact, the stance here was very important in order to show that stance, which is the common voice of the mothers in Gaza, the fathers in Gaza, and all people. The entire hall was standing, and he expressed his feelings there. You can call this a reaction. You can call this support for Palestine. You can call this not remaining silent against the oppression there. Turkey was with Palestine yesterday. It is with it today. It will continue to be with it from now on as well," he said.
"WHEN WE ADVANCE ELECTRIFICATION, WE WILL HAVE ACCELERATED THE EXIT FROM FOSSIL FUELS"
Answering the question of whether the final decision of COP31 would include statements on moving away from fossil fuels, Kurum, recalling that a decision had previously been taken on this issue, drew attention to the importance of implementation. Kurum said, "We can be within a framework of good intentions. We can say nice words. We are also making nice promises. But unless we do something, none of these has any meaning. That is why the issue of electrification is very, very important. We will advance electrification. When we advance it, we will have accelerated the exit from fossil fuels. We will have reduced the use of fossil fuels. We will have encouraged the world toward a clean energy transition," he said.
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