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16 March 2026

Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change and COP31 President, participated in a high-level panel discussion titled “Beyond Negotiations in Azerbaijan: The Battle to Keep COP Alive” at the Global Baku Forum.

Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change and COP31 President, participated in a high-level panel discussion titled “Beyond Negotiations in Azerbaijan: The Battle to Keep COP Alive” at the Global Baku Forum. Accompanied by Prof. Halil Hasar, Director of Climate Change, Minister Kurum emphasized the need for a shift in global climate policy. “We are moving past the era where COP was defined solely by debates in negotiation halls,” he stated. “We envision a COP process that transitions from negotiation to implementation, where decisions are made and actively monitored on the ground. We define COP31 as the ‘COP of the Future.’ To keep COP alive, we are duty-bound to translate these diplomatic texts into tangible field action. I would like to underscore that COP31 is being designed as an action-oriented engine for generating solutions, not just another conference.”

The Minister noted that the Forum’s timing is critical, highlighting that the current global momentum proves the necessity of continuity in the climate agenda. Indicating that the meeting’s purpose was to address the question, “How can we keep the COP process—the heart of climate diplomacy—strong and effective in the real world rather than just in negotiation halls?” Minister Kurum said: “We are effectively surrounded by a ring of fire, and every step taken in such an environment is of immense importance. In this regard, our common home, Earth, represents a period that tests not only our response to the climate crisis but also our actual capacity for global cooperation. In such a pivotal era, multilateral solutions are no longer a preference; they are a prerequisite. They have transitioned from being a choice to an absolute necessity. Our gathering here in Baku to hold these consultations alongside former COP Presidents is significant in this sense.”

“We define COP31 as the ‘COP of the Future.'"

Drawing attention to Türkiye’s Climate Law and the 2053 Net Zero Emission Target established under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Minister Kurum said: “The fact that Türkiye stands at the intersection of Africa, Europe, and Asia, having long served as a cultural bridge, clearly demonstrates our resolve to act as a bridge between East and West, as well as North and South. We do not want a COP process that is limited to discussions and resolutions within negotiation halls. We envision a COP process that transitions from negotiation to implementation, where decisions are made and actively monitored on the ground. We define COP31 as the ‘COP of the Future.’”

“Decisions from the Baku–Belém Journey Will Guide Our Way”

Minister Kurum highlighted the partnership with Australia for COP31, emphasizing a sense of continuity and resolve: “Türkiye is the host of COP31. The COP31 Presidency will oversee a process where every decision is reached through consultation and executed with precision. Furthermore, the negotiation chairmanship will operate in full harmony and consultation with the COP31 President, allowing us to project the collective strength of our two nations to the global community. We are working in complete synergy with Australia.
Beyond that, we must remember the decisions reached in Belém.

Our previous COP host, Azerbaijan, also achieved a level of success that perhaps the world did not expect, thanks to the dedication of my brother Mukhtar and our Azerbaijani friends.
We are fully aware of our responsibility to build an action agenda that further reinforces the decisions made at these summits. We will deliver this action agenda.

Continuity is, of course, a fundamental requirement of this convention. The decisions regarding the 1.5°C target established during the Baku–Belém journey will guide our way.
This reflects the Troika—the concept of past, current, and future presidencies working as one. In fact, we are fostering a unique kind of Troika here. We intend to lead a COP Presidency that strengthens stability and predictability, while ensuring trust and concrete outcomes are clearly established throughout the COP process.”

“To keep COP alive, we are duty-bound to translate diplomatic texts into field action”

Stressing that Türkiye’s COP31 vision is anchored in ‘dialogue, consensus, and action,’ Minister Kurum emphasized that the COP process remains vital only through tangible implementation: “We will never turn away from dialogue. We will ensure that resolutions passed in negotiation halls are translated into practical action, and we will exert every effort to expedite this transition. Since our country is surrounded by seas on three sides, we intend to center global attention on seas and oceans during COP31 in Antalya. In this regard, from the preservation of our waters to the mobilization of the necessary finance, we believe we have a duty to bring negotiated texts to the field to keep the COP process alive. I would like to underscore that COP31 is being designed as an action-oriented engine for generating solutions, not just another conference.”

“We Intend to Lead a COP Process Where No Nation is Left Behind”

Minister Kurum indicated that Türkiye will focus its efforts on the ‘COP31 Action Agenda,’ highlighting the following objectives: What will be the pillars of our action agenda? First is our Zero Waste initiative. Under the auspices of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, the Zero Waste Project has evolved into a truly global brand. With the United Nations having declared an official Zero Waste Day, we will ensure these practices are a focal point of the conference we host in Antalya. Our youth are equally vital. We must facilitate a much more robust involvement of young people in climate action. If you were to ask today what the 1.5°C target represents, perhaps only ten percent of the world would actually know; we are determined to bridge this awareness gap.

Furthermore, we will strengthen implementation tools driven by finance, technology, and data. Within this framework, we intend to lead a COP process that provides meaningful support to developing nations, addresses the specific needs of Pacific countries, and ensures that no nation is left behind. This is the cornerstone of Türkiye’s foreign policy stance. It is the message our President delivers to the entire world. As the COP Presidency, we will uphold this stance, drawing inspiration from the values of our civilization.”