The 17th Petersberg Climate Dialogue convened in Berlin today, bringing together international leaders to drive momentum for global climate action.

21 April 2026

The 17th Petersberg Climate Dialogue convened in Berlin today, bringing together international leaders to drive momentum for global climate action.

The two-day summit features high-level participation from Türkiye, represented by Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President-Designate, alongside Prof. Halil Hasar, Director of Climate Change.

Addressing climate ministers from over 40 nations, COP31 President-Designate Kurum emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to multilateralism: “Under the leadership of our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, just as Türkiye constructively facilitates dialogue to find common solutions in the most complex geopolitical crises, it will implement this constructive role at every stage of COP31. Our goal is to foster a more equitable, inclusive, and functional global order. If we can achieve this together, we can transform COP31 from being merely a summit into a true turning point.”

COP31 President-Designate Kurum urged countries that have not yet submitted their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to announce their commitments without delay, emphasizing the need to accelerate the mobilization of climate finance. During his speech, he stated, “We expect all actors to adhere to the recommendations of the $1.3 trillion Baku-to-Belém Roadmap.”

Pointing out that fossil fuel dependency has tested the energy security of all nations amidst the supply crisis in the Middle East, the COP31 President-Designate Kurum noted: “For the second time in four years, energy systems that have lifted billions out of poverty are experiencing a global crisis. However, this crisis has clearly demonstrated that fossil fuels do not guarantee energy security. As we all agreed in Dubai, we emphasized the vital importance of transitioning to alternative energy sources and increasing energy diversification in line with national circumstances. Investing in alternative energy and supporting diversification means stability, resilience, and clean development. This is the path we must all pursue.”

Highlighting that Türkiye has tripled its renewable electricity generation over the past decade, COP31 President-Designate Kurum added:

“Türkiye has invested more than $10 billion in energy efficiency”

Türkiye has invested more than $10 billion in energy efficiency. Since the 2022 energy crisis, we have authorized more energy storage capacity than all EU countries combined. We aim to invest over $20 billion in energy efficiency by 2030. However, we recognize that achieving such tangible results is not equally easy for every country. Therefore, we must work together to bridge the gap between global needs and available resources.

“We need a robust replenishment of UN climate funds”

We may encounter challenges along the COP process. However, these meetings are the best platform we have to bring everyone around the same table. As the COP31 Presidency, we are committed to responsible leadership. We will champion the process and use our best efforts to strengthen its foundations. We want to ensure that countries fulfill the core requirements of COP. Our expectation is for nations to submit their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). We also expect donors to honor their commitments. This year, developed nations must submit their first biennial communications to demonstrate how they will contribute their fair share toward the COP29 Baku Finance Goal. We also require a robust replenishment of UN climate funds. Countries with limited fiscal space urgently need concessional and grant-based public finance, particularly for adaptation. In this regard, I would like to stress that the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) third replenishment round this year will be of critical importance. Furthermore, we are continuously working to increase allocations to the Loss and Damage Fund. At COP31, we will highlight that support for the Paris Agreement must be reinforced with concrete steps.

“COP31 will be defined as the ‘COP of the Future’ and will be shaped by the three core principles of ‘dialogue’, ‘consensus’, and ‘action’”

We have defined the COP31 vision as the ‘COP of the Future’. The COP31 Presidency will be shaped around three core principles: ‘dialogue’, ‘consensus’, and ‘action’. As Türkiye, we aim to further institutionalize the COP process. As the COP31 Presidency, we will highlight nine thematic priorities aligned with the Global Climate Action Agenda. These include Zero Waste approaches to support the transition to a circular economy; clean energy to ensure sustainable and secure energy for all; industrial decarbonization to help achieve climate goals and sustainable competitiveness; oceans and seas to protect coastal and marine ecosystems; food security and sustainable agriculture to ensure the urgent transformation of our food systems and build a resilient future for our farmers; climate-resilient cities to provide safe and livable settlements for all; youth participation to make the most of the energy and passion of young people; and cross-sectoral actions to create synergies between climate change, biodiversity, and land degradation.

“We Expect All Actors to Adhere to the Recommendations of the Baku-to-Belém Roadmap”

To achieve these nine thematic priorities, we will promote partnerships within the relevant activation groups and expedite progress. Perhaps most importantly, we are working on an additional mechanism to support the Global Implementation Accelerator and deliver concrete results. We envision this mechanism as a step that will bring together key actors, mobilize private sector and philanthropic finance, address sectoral priorities, and ensure alignment with development goals. We expect all actors to adhere to the recommendations of the $1.3 trillion Baku-to-Belém Roadmap. This will be vital for making progress across all facets of climate change—from mitigation to adaptation, as well as loss and damage.

“COP31 in Antalya Will Mark the Beginning of a New Era”

I want to underscore that COP31 in Antalya will mark the beginning of a new era of cooperation and partnership. We will work with all of you at COP31. We will collaborate with our predecessors, Mukhtar and André, to build upon the critical outcomes emerging from Baku and Belém. We will work alongside our colleagues from the Pacific Islands. We will also work with our Ethiopian successors to ensure continuity from COP to COP and to address African priorities. We will engage with all groups and civil society organizations to deliver real solutions to real problems. Under the leadership of our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, just as Türkiye constructively facilitates dialogue to find common solutions in the most complex geopolitical crises, it will implement this constructive role at every stage of COP31. I would like to express my gratitude to our President for his full support toward a successful COP31. I also wish to thank First Lady Emine Erdoğan, who has championed numerous nature- and climate-friendly initiatives, most notably the Zero Waste Project. Our goal is to foster a more equitable, inclusive, and functional global order. If we can achieve this together, we can transform COP31 from being merely a summit into a true turning point. On this occasion, I once again invite you all to COP31, which will take place from November 9–20 in our tourism paradise, Antalya.

Following the opening program of the summit, COP31 President-Designate Kurum, accompanied by Director of Climate Change Hasar, held meetings with several country representatives.