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18 November 2024

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat and the COP29 Azerbaijan Presidency have honored Türkiye with the “BTR Champion” award.

Fatma Varank, Deputy Minister and Chief Negotiator, accepted the award on behalf of Türkiye from COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev.

Under the coordination of the Directorate of Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and with contributions from relevant ministries and stakeholders, Türkiye submitted its first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. The report meticulously documents the nation’s climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives spanning 2022 to 2024.

The UNFCCC Secretariat and the COP29 Azerbaijan Presidency formally recognized Türkiye’s dedicated efforts, citing the country's commitment to transparency in climate action as the primary reason for the honor. Director of Climate Change Prof. Halil Hasar Announces the Achievement

"Prof. Halil Hasar, Director of Climate Change, indicated that the UNFCCC Secretariat and the COP29 Azerbaijan Presidency considered our country's climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts worthy of an award, adding: "In acknowledgment of our first Biennial Transparency Report, which underscores Türkiye’s dedication to transparency and diligent climate action, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev presented the ‘BTR Champion’ certificate to our Deputy Minister and Chief Negotiator, Ms. Fatma Varank, on behalf of the UNFCCC Secretariat."

Expressing his pride in the achievement, Prof. Hasar said: "This certification is a significant milestone for the transparency of our initiatives as we pursue our 2053 Net Zero Emission targets. It stands as a clear testament to our unwavering resolve and determination in the global fight against climate change."