Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change and COP31 President, held a joint press conference with Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
13 March 2026
Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change and COP31 President, held a joint press conference with Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
During the session, Minister Kurum emphasized that energy security and climate goals will be addressed as two complementary pillars at COP31. He further outlined five key energy priorities on Türkiye’s COP31 agenda. “The ultimate measure of success for COP31 must be the translation of decisions into action on the ground,” Minister Kurum stated “Unfortunately, we continue to adopt decisions through constant dialogue, yet a significant implementation gap persists.
There is a chasm between the resolutions made and their execution. I believe that merely making decisions is not enough; the essence lies in their practical application. This is why we call it the ‘COP of Implementation.’ We want it to be the ‘COP of the Future’ and the ‘COP of Implementation,’ where decisions are radically executed on the ground.”
Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA, highlighted the significance of Türkiye’s COP31 presidency, stating: “I believe it is a vital opportunity for the world to have a strong nation like Türkiye—one that truly grasps the gravity of this issue—presiding over this process.”
Ahead of the COP31 Summit—the most critical UN organization in the fight against climate change, to be hosted by Türkiye for the first time in Antalya—Turkish Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change and COP31 President, Murat Kurum and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol convened for this joint press conference in Istanbul.
“We Must Build a Safer and Adaptive Energy Ecosystem”
Emphasizing that global energy systems are under significant pressure, Minister Kurum highlighted the importance of Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency within this context. “We view COP31 not merely as a platform for discussing new commitments, but as a process where promises are transformed into action, trust is fostered, and concrete progress is achieved.
We call this the execution-oriented COP approach,” he stated.
“Our approach as the COP Presidency is built upon three core pillars: Dialogue, Consensus, and Action. Through dialogue, we will establish an inclusive platform that strengthens trust. Through consensus, we will foster a sense of shared responsibility and collective ownership. And through action, we will ensure that decisions are translated into credible, measurable implementations on the ground.”
Minister Kurum further noted: “We will not view energy security and climate goals as alternatives to one another. On the contrary, we will treat them as two complementary pillars.
While promoting the expansion of renewable energy and investments in energy efficiency, we will emphasize the necessity of realistic, applicable, and just transition pathways that respect each nation’s specific national circumstances. Our objective is to maintain political momentum toward the 1.5°C target while simultaneously accelerating the transition to implementation.”
Türkiye’s Five Priority Energy Goals
Minister Kurum outlined five prominent energy-related headlines from Türkiye’s COP31 Action Agenda: “Our first priority is the clean energy transition. Today, approximately 730 million people globally lack access to electricity. Given this grim reality, the energy transition is fundamentally a matter of health and justice. To change this trajectory, we will develop robust cooperation with the International Energy Agency (IEA) in the fields of renewable energy, food, cooling and heating, and digitalization. “Our second priority is Zero Waste and methane reduction.
On a global scale, 70 million tons of methane emissions originate from the waste sector every year. If we can successfully reduce methane emissions, it is possible to slow down the rise in global temperatures. To bolster our commitment to this goal, we will make the Zero Waste approach one of the central pillars of the COP31 agenda. We will focus on reducing emissions from landfills, preventing food waste, and strengthening the circular economy.”
“There is a Profound Implementation Gap Between Goals and Plans; We Must Close It”
“Our third priority is climate-resilient cities. As a country, we have successfully constructed over 500,000 climate-resilient and zero-waste-compatible housing units across 11 provinces.
In light of this experience, topics such as energy efficiency in buildings, zero-energy buildings, urban energy solutions, resilient infrastructure, and climate-resistant settlement models will occupy a central place in the COP31 process.”
“Our fourth priority is the Climate Action Implementation Mechanism. Unfortunately, there is currently a profound implementation gap between global goals and actual plans. We must close this gap.”
“Our fifth and final priority is green industrialization in the energy sector. Currently, the industrial sector remains largely dependent on fossil fuels, with heavy industries accounting for approximately 40% of global emissions. Consequently, aligning industry with long-term net-zero targets is no longer a choice but a necessity. This requires deeper structural transformations.”
“The World Wants to See Actionable Solutions”
In his concluding remarks, Minister Kurum stated that Türkiye’s message for COP31 is clear and resolute: “The world no longer wants just new targets; it wants to see actionable solutions. As the COP Presidency, we will act with an approach that does not exclude energy security, respects the right to development, operationalizes a just transition, and produces tangible results on the ground. As Türkiye, we will transform COP31 into a new threshold of trust, cooperation, and implementation in global climate diplomacy. We will fully utilize the cooperation opportunities between the IEA and the COP31 Presidency in the fields of energy transition and the circular economy for the future of our nations and to ensure our children live in a cleaner, more beautiful world.”
IEA Executive Director Birol:
“Türkiye’s Presidency is an Opportunity for the World”
Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), underscored the global significance of Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency: “I believe hosting COP31 is an exceptionally important opportunity for our country. In my view, this is not just a chance for us, but for the entire world. Unfortunately, due to global developments, climate change has been slipping down the international agenda. We must reverse this trend and restore climate change to its rightful place at the forefront of global discourse. Having a strong nation like Türkiye—one that truly grasps the gravity of this issue—presiding over this process is a vital opportunity for the world.”
“I recently met with our Honorable President, and I was pleased to observe firsthand the profound sensitivity with which he approaches this matter. Seeing the climate change agenda prioritized at the highest level of the state is truly heartening. I also believe COP31 is a chance for Türkiye to showcase the humanitarian reflexes of the Turkish people to the world.
The heart of the Turkish people has always been with the oppressed.”
“The IEA Commits to Supporting Türkiye”
Birol emphasized that the International Energy Agency will provide full support to Türkiye throughout the COP process: “I publicly commit that the International Energy Agency, as Türkiye’s strategic partner, will provide full support on every issue mentioned by the Minister. Our agency consists of 500 of the world’s leading energy and climate experts, Minister. I pledge here that we, as a collective body, will do everything in our power to ensure that COP31 in Antalya is a resounding success.”
UN Secretary-General Guterres Praises Türkiye’s COP Presidency
Regarding Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency, Birol added: “Showcasing the sensitivities of the Turkish people is of paramount importance to us. Last week, I met with my dear friend, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. He will be visiting Ankara soon and told me, ‘I am exceedingly happy that a country with such high humanitarian sensitivities like Türkiye is assuming the COP31 Presidency.’ Rhis, too, brought me great joy.”
Fatma Varank, Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, and Prof. Halil Hasar, Director of Climate Change, accompanied Minister Kurum during both the bilateral meeting and the subsequent joint press conference.