Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Kurum, continued his international contacts on the second day of its program at COP27 held in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. The institution met with its counterparts from the Netherlands, Qatar, Slovenia and Azerbaijan, as well as COP26 President Alok Sharma.
On the first day of his visit to Egypt, the Minister met with COP27 President Shukri, Federal German Environment Minister Lemke and Pakistani Climate Change Minister Rehman, and on the second day he held a series of meetings. The Minister met with Slovenian Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Uros Brezan, COP26 President Alok Sharma, Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Firdovsi Aliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan Anar Guliye, Qatari Minister of Environment and Climate Change Sheikh Faleh Bin Nasser Bin Ahmed Bin Ali Thani, Dutch Environment Minister Vivianne Heijnen and European Commissioner for the Environment Virginijus Sinkevicius.
Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Environment with the Netherlands Discussed
On the second day of the conference, the Minister first met with the Dutch Minister of the Environment, Vivianne Heijnen. At the meeting, it was decided that the technical teams would start negotiations for the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Türkiye and the Netherlands on the development of cooperation in the field of environment. At the meeting, issues such as joint studies on circular economy and waste management and exploring cooperation opportunities for R&D studies on green hydrogen technology were discussed. At the meeting where the Netherlands' studies on solid waste disposal technology were evaluated, it was stated that the Netherlands would also support the Global Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration signed under the roof of the UN.
Innovative Technologies in the Field of Environment
Minister Kurum later met with Qatari Minister of Environment and Climate Change Sheikh Faleh Bin Nasser Bin Ahmed Bin Ali Al Thani. At this meeting, research and development activities between Qatar and Türkiye in order to develop innovative technologies in the field of environment such as carbon capture and storage technology were discussed. In addition, the consensus on climate change reiterated that the existing cooperation of both countries should be increased in the field of environment and especially in the fields of renewable energy.
Meeting with European Commissioner Sinkevicius
The agency also met with Virginijus Sinkevicius, European Commissioner for the Environment. At the meeting, it was agreed that all countries and parties should take collective concrete action to protect biodiversity. Sinkevicius stated that the European Union will support in all matters for the protection of Türkiye's biodiversity. During the meeting, it was underlined that in addition to the protection of seas, streams and lakes, it is necessary to work together in harmony on forest fires.
COP26 Chairman Meets with Sharma
"We Will Reach the 2053 Net Zero Emission Target"
Minister Kurum, in his meeting with COP26 President Alok Sharma, stated that Türkiye will reach the 2053 net zero emission target and that they have declared to the whole world that they are a party to the Paris Agreement and that they will take decisive steps in this regard. Stating that they announced the National Contribution Statement at COP27 yesterday, the Authority said, "We are increasing our target of reducing 21 percent from the increase given in 2015 to 41 percent by 2030." Emphasizing that they will realize the targets step by step with the Climate Law to be prepared, the Authority stated that Türkiye will continue to implement all of its environmental projects decisively in 2023, when the 100th anniversary of the Republic will be celebrated, with an understanding that biodiversity is protected and special environmental protection zones are increased.
Within the scope of his contacts, Minister Kurum met with Slovenian Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Uros Brezan, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan Firdovsi Aliyev and Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture Anar Guliyev.
