Climate diplomacy between Türkiye and the European Union has gained significant momentum ahead of COP31, which Türkiye will host in Antalya.
09 April 2026
Climate diplomacy between Türkiye and the European Union has gained significant momentum ahead of COP31, which Türkiye will host in Antalya.
Prof. Halil Hasar, Director of Climate Change, met with Diana Acconcia, Director for International Affairs and Climate Finance at the EU Directorate-General for Climate Action, and her accompanying delegation. The meeting focused on the COP31 Action Agenda and Climate Adaptation, alongside the nine thematic priorities highlighted under Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency. The participants also discussed joint projects to combat the climate crisis, the future of carbon markets, and Türkiye’s specific action plans.
Expressing his satisfaction with the visit, Director Hasar noted that Türkiye is successfully managing the COP31 process. He stated that the COP31 agenda is currently being finalized, adding:
“We are defining our COP31 Action Agenda based on our national priorities, the decisions of the Global Stocktake, and extensive consultations with non-party stakeholders. We are following a focused timeline for the launch of our Action Agenda. Starting with the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in April, we will initiate the consultation process with stakeholders, leading up to our official launch at the Bonn meetings in June. In this process, early cooperation with the EU will be decisive in terms of both content and legitimacy.”
Underlining that adaptation has moved to the forefront of the global agenda, Director Hasar stated:
“Climate adaptation is now a priority”
Climate adaptation is no longer just a technical exercise; it has become a primary priority. The signals emerging from Belém clearly demonstrate this reality. Türkiye’s COP31 Action Agenda features four thematic pillars directly related to adaptation. First is Climate-Resilient Cities. This theme covers resilient infrastructure, risk insurance mechanisms, and green building standards. It offers a natural integration point with Türkiye's ongoing urban transformation process. The EU's experience in urban adaptation and its financing tools could provide the foundation for concrete cooperation here. Second is Food Security and Water. Water and drought management are direct sub-topics of this theme. Türkiye faces critical vulnerability in this area due to projected temperature increases and declining precipitation across the Western Mediterranean basin. Collaborating with the EU’s Copernicus drought observation infrastructure could significantly strengthen our early warning capacity. Third is Oceans and Seas. Our Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black Sea coasts are among the geographies feeling the most rapid impacts of climate change.Enhancing coastal resilience, protecting blue carbon areas, and strengthening ocean observation networks should be our shared priorities. Fourth is Rio Synergy. Biodiversity, carbon sinks, and land management offer strong alignment with the EU Biodiversity Strategy. We have high potential to develop a common stance on placing nature-based solutions at the heart of adaptation policy. Nationally, we are updating our National Adaptation Plan and deepening the adaptation component of our NDC.”
Director of Climate Change Hasar issues an open call to the EU
Director Hasar issued an open call to the EU to achieve concrete progress in three key areas leading up to COP31: assuming joint leadership in the Action Agenda, deepening technical cooperation on adaptation, and maintaining a shared approach centered on environmental integrity and transparency in international carbon markets.
EU representatives commend Türkiye’s COP31 leadership
The visiting EU delegation thanked Director Hasar for the reception and expressed their satisfaction with Türkiye’s successful management of the COP31 process. Referring to Türkiye’s strong vision, the delegation stated they wish to see Türkiye as a key actor in the coalition launched at COP30 under the leadership of China, the EU, and Brazil. They also emphasized the importance of Türkiye's voice being heard during the Santa Marta process in Colombia.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted the importance of working with Türkiye, expressing their desire to showcase their work on adaptation, resilient cities, industrial decarbonization, electrification, carbon pricing, and the future of the ETS at COP31 in Türkiye.