Murat Kurum, the Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, held a video conference with Chris Bowen, the Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

20 October 2024

Murat Kurum, the Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, held a video conference with Chris Bowen, the Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Both ministers reached a consensus on initiating technical-level consultations to navigate the COP31 process.

Murat Kurum, the Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, held a video conference with Chris Bowen, the Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy, to discuss the presidency of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled for 2026.

The dialogue focused on the respective bids of both nations to host the summit and served as a platform to exchange views on potential areas of strategic cooperation.

"CLIMATE CHANGE IS A MATTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY"

Emphasizing that Türkiye shares Australia’s high level of ambition for the COP31 presidency, Minister Kurum remarked: “We are convinced that hosting COP31 will provide a significant platform to scale up our nation’s achievements in climate action. For Türkiye, climate change has become a matter of national security. Our commitment to climate adaptation is rooted in the belief that it serves as a catalyst for green development. We seek to convene the global community in Türkiye so that the international parties can witness our nation's climate resilience efforts firsthand.”

"TÜRKİYE: A VITAL BRIDGE FOR DEVELOPING NATIONS"

Minister Kurum highlighted Türkiye's unique position as a model for emerging economies: “Given its strategic geography, economic profile, and diverse climate zones, Türkiye serves as a vital bridge between developed and developing nations in addressing the climate crisis. We don’t export fossil fuels. And we aim to demonstrate that green growth as well as active and efficient deployment of renewable energy are achievable goals for non-oil-producing states. Furthermore, as a major industrial hub and primary material producer, we intend to showcase our expertise in the green transition of industrial sectors, providing a blueprint for global best practices.”

The Minister also underscored that Türkiye’s location within the Mediterranean Basin makes it particularly susceptible to climate-induced vulnerabilities, necessitating the development of the innovative and sustainable solutions currently being implemented.

"A COMMITMENT TO A ZERO WASTE-ORIENTED COP"

Detailing the vision for the summit, Minister Kurum noted Türkiye’s proposal for a Zero Waste-centric conference: “Our objective is to deliver a Zero Waste-oriented COP. We are committed to a low-emission summit, optimizing both transportation logistics and supply chain management. We have already identified the venue and largely finalized the necessary infrastructure to support this vision.”

AGREEMENT ON CONTINUED TECHNICAL ENGAGEMENT

The Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, expressed Australia’s strong interest in the COP31 presidency and extended his gratitude for Türkiye's recovery efforts in the regions impacted by the recent earthquakes. Both ministers reached a consensus on initiating technical-level consultations to navigate the COP31 process.

Source: Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change