Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum attended the "Energy and Climate" Major Economies Forum (MEF) video conference hosted by the United States. Minister Murat Kurum addressed his counterparts, explained Turkey's struggle with climate change and noted the importance of global cooperation.
The Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on Major Economies (MEF) on "Energy and Climate", hosted by the United States, was held in two main sessions. The first session of the meeting discussed the decisions taken at the United Nations 26th Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the measures to be taken to maintain the 1.5 degree limit on global temperature rise, financial solutions to combat climate change and what urgent issues need to be addressed in the future. In the second session, ministers presented their ideas in line with the targets of "national methane action plans, non-deforestation agricultural supply chains, zero carbon power and zero emission vehicles".
"We see the process as an opportunity for our Green Development Move"
Addressing the environment ministers of the participating countries at the first session of the meeting chaired by U.S. Special Climate Envoy John Kerry, he stressed that there are major crises around the world due to climate change and the importance of cooperation in combating these crises that are deeply affecting our lives, and that "Glasgow 26. We left the Conference of the Parties with significant gains for our world. Together we have demonstrated the determination needed to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. From now on, I'm going to have to take a Together with the Rule Book and the Resolutions of the Conference of the Parties, we must all meet the long-term goal of the Paris Climate Agreement. We are in this process as a country; we see the social, economic and environmental transformation that will accelerate as an opportunity for the realization of our country's green development move." Turkey will update its National Contribution Statement by the end of 2022 in line with the 2053 net zero emissions target announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Minister said, adding that negotiations with all parties are continuing accordingly.
Minister Murat Kurum continued: "After 3 centuries since the industrial revolution, we are now on the verge of a great change, transformation or even revolution again. Turkey believes that international solidarity and climate finance are the way to combat climate change, whatever urgently needs to be done. Today, we think that the role of the private sector and business world with global capital is very important and they should take much greater responsibilities. These international companies need to support the world more than most states and do more for the well-being of humanity. In this sense, as Turkey; we work very hard with our private sector to take full advantage of technology, smart applications and initiatives, renewable energy in the fight against climate change.
Work begins for climate national conference in Konya
Emphasizing that they are behind all commitments made to reverse steel production, zero emission vehicles, road transportation, forest loss and land degradation at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, Murat Kurum shared the information that they will carry out climate national conference in Konya in February in order to update their strategy and action plans in line with the 2053 net zero emission target. More than 600 participants from scientists, NGOs, local governments, the private sector, public institutions and international organizations have started their work for council, the Minister said. Decisions will be made in a wide range of areas from renewable energy to agriculture, industry and trade to innovation and R&D investments, and announced that they will publish the results and present them to the benefit of other countries.
"A Fairer World Is Possible"
Minister Murat Kurum stated that as Turkey, they always act with the belief that "a fairer world is possible".Minister Murat Kurum said “Our expectation from the world is disadvantaged, most affected by climate change and developing countries; it does not become more fragile when fighting climate change; is the full provision of necessary support to these countries."
Germany, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, United Kingdom, Brazil, People's Republic of China, Indonesia, France, India, Italy, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, Marshall Islands Republic, Mexico, Egypt, Russian Federation, Republic of Senegal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Turkey attended the meeting.
