Erdoğan calls at COP31 closing to 'make the 1.5-degree target achievable'

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan thanked all heads of state and government who took part in the COP31 Leaders' Summit held in Antalya and issued a written statement after the summit. Erdoğan ended his statement with the call to 'make the 1.5-degree target achievable.'

Erdoğan stressed that coming together and delivering messages in person carried particular importance at a time of major challenges in the international arena. The statement also thanked the parties that actively contributed to the summit, international organizations, multilateral development banks and stakeholders. Erdoğan offered the assessment that 'the broad common ground that emerged in the talks encouraged me.'

Noting that the Paris Agreement had entered its second decade, Erdoğan reported that it had been reconfirmed that the fight against climate change is 'both a scientific and a moral imperative.' Electrification, implementation, green industrialization, resilience, zero waste and climate finance were discussed at the high-level events held during the summit.

Erdoğan said these events drew attention to the priorities of Africa, the Pacific and other regions, and that the natural disasters and loss of life seen recently had demonstrated the urgency of the work for humanity. The statement stressed the establishment of stronger early warning systems against climate risks and the better protection of those most exposed to them.

Stating that the summit was designed as an 'implementation-focused COP,' Erdoğan noted that the 'Climate Implementation Bridge,' which foregrounds access to finance for those most in need, had received broad support. The mechanism's purpose was described as turning existing commitments into concrete results through closer cooperation among countries, financial institutions and parties, and providing support for country-led action on adaptation, resilience and sustainable development.

Erdoğan reported that they were pleased with the support given to the '35x35 Global Electrification Pledge,' that many leaders had spoken throughout the summit of the opportunities electrification offers, and that many countries had already joined the initiative. Stating that the partnership between Türkiye and Australia was an expression of confidence in multilateralism, Erdoğan said he was pleased with the participation of Pacific Island countries in the process, first and foremost the Pre-COP hosts Tuvalu and Fiji.

The President said sustainable practices would require the contribution of every segment of society, and that while governments provide direction through national priorities, businesses, financial institutions, local governments and civil society offer resources, expertise and experience. Erdoğan called on all parties to maintain the constructive spirit of the Leaders' Summit and to continue their efforts toward implementation.