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07 May 2026
Prof. Halil Hasar, Director of Climate Change, met with Mathilde Laurans, Deputy Executive Director of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, and Program Manager Jihyea Kim.
The meeting, held at the Directorate of Climate Change, focused on strategic evaluations regarding the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund—a vital mechanism for developing nations—and the streamlining of access to climate finance.
Expressing his satisfaction with the visit, Director Hasar emphasized that COP31 will serve as a critical threshold in transitioning the Fund from its institutional framework to ground-level implementation.
Describing the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund as a historic achievement of the multilateral climate process, Director Hasar noted that the consensus reached on the first day of COP28 established significant trust among all parties.
He remarked that the Fund is one of the most essential instruments for strengthening international solidarity with countries grappling with the devastating impacts of climate change.
“We aim to ensure that COP31 produces tangible results for those in greatest need”
The fundamental challenge in climate finance is the lack of timely access to resources. The long-term impact of the Fund depends on the availability of adequate, predictable, and sustainable resources. Within the framework of Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency vision, we are ready to support this process. It is essential that access to Fund resources remains transparent, rapid, and fit-for-purpose. As Türkiye, we will maintain our constructive and inclusive engagement with the Bonn climate meetings, the Pre-COP process, and the Fund's Board as we aim to ensure that COP31 produces tangible results for those in greatest need.
Referring to the February 6 earthquakes, described as the 'Disaster of the Century' in Türkiye, Director Hasar added: “Disasters and climate risks are not entirely preventable for any nation.
The Fund must be inclusive—not only for developing countries but for all parties seeking support in the aftermath of a disaster."