Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, addressed the first Meeting of the Ministers Responsible for Environment and Ecology of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) held in Baku.
14 November 2024
Signing the Ministers' Declaration on behalf of Türkiye, Minister Murat Kurum remarked: “Türkiye will extend every possible support to its brotherly nations regarding practices in the fields of environment, wastewater, and zero waste, which have earned global recognition.”
Minister Kurum pointed out that the nations least responsible for climate change are often those most severely impacted by the climate crisis. "Not only is the burden of the climate crisis placed upon these countries, but they also lack sufficient access to finance. As Türkiye, empowered by our brothers in the Organization of Turkic States, we candidly advocate for a 'fairer world' for all of humanity," he added.
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum attended the inaugural OTS Ministerial Meeting during his visit to Baku for the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). After signing the Ministers’ Declaration, he delivered a speech at the Uzbekistan Pavilion.
“On the 15th anniversary of our Organization's founding, we stand as the world's largest community of brothers. As evidenced by this meeting today, we are one in language, one in thought, and one in action,” the Minister noted.
“THESE SUMMITS ARE VITAL FOR FINDING SOLUTIONS”
Minister Kurum emphasized that Türkiye wholeheartedly supports the efforts of the Turkic world to address climate change, saying: "I place great importance, on behalf of our nations, on the launch of the 'Central Asian Climate Dialogue'—an initiative brought to the agenda by our brotherly nation, Uzbekistan, during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. Likewise, I find the initiatives to hold the International Climate Forum in Samarkand this year to be very valuable for the Turkic people. The announcement regarding the Regional Climate Summit to be organized by Kazakhstan in 2026 is also historically significant. I would also like to express our satisfaction with the Turkic Green Vision Document signed in Bishkek on November 6. I believe and hope that these dialogues, forums, and summits will play a crucial role in finding solutions to the common challenges of the Turkic world."
“TÜRKİYE IS READY TO SHARE ITS FULL EXPERTISE”
Minister Kurum outlined Türkiye's commitments within the Ministers' Declaration: "Türkiye—having completed over 500 National Garden projects, doubled the size of its protected areas since 2011, and emerged as a leader in afforestation in Europe—is ready to offer its full expertise regarding the effective management of green and protected areas as stipulated in the declaration. Furthermore, Türkiye will extend every possible support to its brotherly nations regarding practices in the fields of environment, wastewater, and zero waste, which that have earned global recognition. I would also like to underscore the importance of meeting regularly to discuss joint activities within our organization and establishing an expert-level working group."
“THE BURDEN OF THE CLIMATE CRISIS FALLS HEAVILY ON COUNTRIES LACKING ACCESS TO FINANCE”
Minister Murat Kurum characterized COP29 as a landmark summit where expectations for concrete climate action have reached their peak. Highlighting the anticipation for critical decisions regarding nations with limited access to climate finance, Minister Kurum remarked: "Regrettably, countries that have made zero contribution to—or bear the least responsibility for—the climate crisis are the ones most negatively affected. They continue to face similar hardships and suffering. To be clear: the burden is shifted to these nations, yet they are excluded from adequate climate finance. As Türkiye, empowered by our brotherly nations in the Organization of Turkic States, we candidly advocate for a 'fairer world' for all of humanity."
“WE EXPECT SUPPORT FOR COP31 FROM OUR BROTHERLY NATIONS”
Reminding the audience that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced Türkiye’s candidacy to host the COP31 Presidency, Minister Kurum added: “We look forward to the support of all our friendly and brotherly nations for Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency.”
ZERO WASTE EMPHASIS IN THE DECLARATION
The Ministers' Declaration signed by Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan recognized the global significance of Türkiye’s "Zero Waste" initiatives and "Water Efficiency" campaigns. The document highlighted these efforts as valuable contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals of "Responsible Consumption and Production" and "Clean Water and Sanitation."