Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Mr. Murat Kurum attended the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Ministers’ Meeting held in Geneva.
Speaking at the “Housing Affordability and Sustainability” session organized at the UN Geneva Office, Mr. Kurum highlighted Türkiye’s social housing projects, urban transformation efforts and the ongoing reconstruction mobilization across 11 provinces following the disaster of the century.
“We Are Building 23 Houses per Hour, 550 per Day”
Noting that the first foundations were laid within 15 days after the earthquake and the first houses were delivered within 45 days, Mr. Kurum stated: “We are producing 23 houses per hour and 550 per day, having delivered 300,000 homes so far. By the end of the year, we will complete 453,000 houses.”
500,000 New Social Housing Units Launched
Emphasizing Türkiye’s more than 20 years of social housing policy, Mr. Kurum said: “Our Housing Development Administration has produced 1.7 million social housing units, providing safe homes for 5 million citizens. We have now launched our new 500,000 social housing project.”
Turkish Contracting Sector Maintains Its Global Strength
Drawing attention to the international success of the Turkish construction industry, Mr. Kurum said: “Among the world’s 250 largest construction companies, 45 are Turkish. We have completed over 12,000 projects worth 503 billion dollars in 135 countries.”
“Türkiye Always Stands by Its Friends and the Oppressed”
Highlighting Türkiye’s openness to international cooperation, Mr. Kurum stated: “Under the strong leadership of our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye always stands by its friends. We are ready to respond to all partnership initiatives, including affordable housing production, and to act as a constructive global partner.”
Concluding his remarks, Mr. Kurum also drew attention to the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, emphasizing that “The Republic of Türkiye always stands with the oppressed and against the oppressors.”
