Istanbul: The Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) can become a transformative force in the global climate agenda, Turkey's environment minister and COP31 president stated at a recent international ministerial meeting.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Murat Kurum highlighted the unique position of the D-8, which spans Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, with a population exceeding 1 billion. Speaking at the COP31 D-8 International Ministerial Meeting in Istanbul, Kurum emphasized the significant role D-8 could play in shaping the global climate agenda. He stressed the importance of the common resolve that D-8 members could showcase for COP31's implementation-focused approach.
The meeting saw participation from environment and climate representatives from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. Kurum underscored the importance of this gathering as Turkey prepares for its COP31 presidency, emphasizing that collaboration among D-8 members would bolster the influence of developing countries in global climate discussions.
Kurum remarked that climate change is a pressing global challenge affecting various aspects of life, including economic development, food security, and energy systems. Despite many commitments, he noted a considerable gap between climate promises and their actual implementation.
Kurum further stated that Turkey is prepared to share its expertise in areas such as post-disaster reconstruction, Zero Waste initiatives, and sustainable infrastructure. He described COP31 as a platform for accelerating climate adaptation and enhancing access to finance and technology. The presidency's focus on "dialogue, consensus, and action" aims to achieve these goals.
Turkey's COP31 Action Agenda outlines ten priority areas, including reducing methane emissions, promoting sustainable agriculture, and building climate-resilient cities. The agenda also emphasizes youth participation and stronger cross-sector cooperation.
Kurum announced that Turkey has proposed measurable global implementation targets extending to 2035. These targets include increasing the global electrification rate, reducing energy-use intensity, and expanding circular material use in production. The initiatives also aim to enhance climate finance's effectiveness and inclusiveness.
One of the main initiatives of COP31 will be the Climate Implementation Bridge, designed to facilitate developing countries in turning climate commitments into actionable projects and securing funding. The meeting's agenda also covered topics like climate adaptation, climate finance, and stronger cooperation among D-8 nations.
Kurum concluded by stating that the Istanbul Declaration would articulate the D-8's shared environmental and climate vision, contributing significantly to COP31's upcoming session in Antalya.