Chaired by COP31 President-Designate and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, senior climate and environment officials from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye convened

17 July 2026

Chaired by COP31 President-Designate and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, senior climate and environment officials from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye convened in Istanbul.

Addressing the D-8 COP31 Meeting—held for the first time on the margins of a Ministerial Meeting on Environment—Minister Kurum stressed that climate change is a global crisis affecting economic development, cities, food security, energy systems, and communities.

Highlighting that host nation Türkiye places environmental stewardship, urban development, and climate action at the heart of its sustainable growth strategy, Kurum remarked: “We are fully prepared to leverage the COP31 platform to share our experience with all parties—from post-disaster rebuilding and the Zero Waste Movement to resilient cities, energy efficiency, the circular economy, sustainable infrastructure, and green tech.”

Director of Climate Change Prof. Halil Hasar also attended the summit.

In his opening address, Minister Kurum noted: “D-8 member states aren't just feeling the brunt of climate change. With their young populations, booming economies, rich natural resources, growing tech capacity, and urban momentum, they are key players in driving global solutions. That’s why the joint resolve of the D-8 carries real weight for COP31’s action-oriented agenda. I am confident that the Istanbul Declaration—the primary outcome of this summit—will stand as a bold statement of political intent, reflecting our shared vision for climate action while building vital momentum toward COP31 in Antalya.”

“OUR 2035 TARGETS REFLECT A SHARED VISION FOR TRANSFORMATION”

Reiterating that Türkiye's roadmap for COP31 is built on three core pillars—Dialogue, Consensus, and Action—Minister Kurum outlined the 10 priority action areas designed to deliver a true 'COP of the Future.' During this address, Minister Kurum listed the key global targets for 2035: “We have set ambitious global goals, including boosting global electrification to 35%, cutting the growth rate of waste generation in half, slashing energy intensity in buildings by at least 25%, and raising the use of circular materials in manufacturing to at least 15%. We are also committing to ensuring every child and young person receives quality education on climate change and climate-resilient agriculture, alongside driving climate finance to the frontlines faster, more effectively, and more inclusively. Every single one of these targets feeds into our shared vision of making our cities safer, our economies more competitive, our communities more resilient, and our future generations stronger.”

“A PLATFORM DRIVING ECONOMIC COOPERATION ACROSS THE D-8”

Highlighting the foundational values of the D-8, Minister Kurum added: “The principles woven into the fabric of the D-8—peace over conflict, dialogue over confrontation, cooperation over exploitation, justice over double standards, equality over discrimination, and democracy over oppression—are as vital today as ever. By bringing this ethos to the global stage, the D-8 has become a powerful platform for deepening economic cooperation, advancing a shared vision for development, and strengthening solidarity across our nations. Spanning Asia, Africa, and the Middle East with a combined population of over one billion, the D-8 family holds a unique position and transformative power in global climate politics.
D-8 member states aren't just feeling the brunt of climate change. With their young populations, booming economies, rich natural resources, growing tech capacity, and urban momentum, they are key players in driving global solutions. This is precisely why our collective momentum is so critical to delivering real results at COP31.”

“THE ISTANBUL DECLARATION WILL BUILD VITAL MOMENTUM TOWARD COP31”

Concluding his speech, Minister Kurum noted that the summit would culminate in the release of the Istanbul Declaration: “I am confident that the Istanbul Declaration—the primary outcome of this summit—will stand as a bold statement of political intent, reflecting our shared vision for climate action while building vital momentum toward COP31 in Antalya. Furthermore, establishing the D-8 Environment and Climate Cooperation Platform will turn this ministerial summit into a lasting, structured framework for technical and institutional collaboration. My sincere hope is that this shared journey from Istanbul to Antalya marks the start of a new chapter—one that deepens trust, expands solidarity, and speeds up climate action.”