Minister Kurum: “We will spare no effort in ensuring that COP29 serves as a definitive milestone for climate action.”
10 October 2024
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum delivered an address at the Pre-COP29 Ministerial Session in Baku, held in preparation for the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which will be hosted by Azerbaijan later this year.
In his speech, Minister Kurum outlined Türkiye’s climate action milestones and strategic targets while simultaneously drawing urgent attention to the humanitarian crises in Palestine and Lebanon. Minister Murat Kurum attended the ministerial session titled "Pre-COP 29: Enhance Ambition, Enable Action" held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, ahead of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will take place on November 11.
Posing for a ministerial group photo, Minister Kurum emphasized that Türkiye has resolutely articulated its targets in the global fight against climate change. He noted that the nation’s renewable energy capacity is expanding daily, stating: “We have successfully launched our domestic electric vehicle. We are consistently advancing new rail system investments for public transportation. We are providing active support to the initiatives of our local governments. Through our Nation Gardens and extensive afforestation projects, we are rapidly increasing our green spaces. To date, we have doubled the total area of our protected regions. We remain dedicated to a cleaner world through the Zero Waste Movement, launched under the auspices of the esteemed First Lady Emine Erdoğan, which has made a global impact across seven continents in just seven years.”
“WE EXPECT THE PARLIAMENT TO PASS THE CLIMATE LAW THIS YEAR”
Minister Murat Kurum announced the goal of reaching a 60% recycling and recovery rate by 2035 through the implementation of the National Deposit Management System. Detailing Türkiye’s strategic roadmap for climate action, the Minister continued: We continue to build 452,000 new residences and commercial spaces in following the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in full alignment with climate change adaptation standards. We expect the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (GNAT) to pass our Climate Law by the end of this year. This legislation will accelerate our progress toward the 2053 Net Zero Emission target presented to the global community by our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Our Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan is fully aligned with the UAE Consensus. This plan establishes concrete, actionable objectives across all sectors. Furthermore, we have operationalized our 2030 Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan. To support our 2053 net-zero ambition, we will submit our Long-Term Strategy and our First Biennial Transparency Report to the international community ahead of COP29.”
“WE WILL SPARE NO EFFORT FOR THE SUCCESS OF COP29”
The Minister emphasized that developing nations like Türkiye can reach their goals more rapidly through accessible financial frameworks: “At this juncture, Multilateral Development Banks and private sector investments must take on a more prominent role.
For countries that rely on project-based financing, we propose that the upcoming resolutions include a roadmap for faster access to finance. We will spare no effort in ensuring that COP29 serves as a definitive milestone for climate action.”
“WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE LOUD VOICE OF CONSCIENCE FOR PALESTINE”
Minister Murat Kurum also addressed the humanitarian tragedies in Palestine and Lebanon during the session: “We undertake these environmental efforts for the sake of our children. Naturally, while we take these steps for the future, we carry the profound pain of the children being killed in Palestine and Lebanon in our hearts. Today, Palestine continues to stand before all of humanity as a moral test. Under the leadership of our President, we continue to be the loud voice of conscience for the freedom of Palestine. We call upon all the peoples of the world to stand in unity and solidarity for Palestine and Lebanon.” The Minister concluded by offering his condolences to those affected by the catastrophic floods in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Brazil, reaffirming Türkiye’s solidarity with nations facing climate-induced disasters.
MINISTER KURUM HOLDS BILATERAL DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENTS
As part of his diplomatic mission in Baku, Minister Murat Kurum met with Ruslan Edelgeriyev, the Special Presidential Representative on Climate Issues for the Russian Federation. The Minister emphasized that hosting COP31 would bolster Türkiye’s successful climate initiatives and serve as a catalyst for global breakthroughs and cooperation. Following his meeting with Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Minister Kurum is scheduled to hold talks with Simon Stiell, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Source:Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change