Vice President Yilmaz: Türkiye has expressed its candidacy to host COP31
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz attended the Opening Session of the General Assembly of Leaders at the "COP30 Leaders Summit" within the scope of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change in Belem, Brazil.
Speaking here, Yilmaz stated that the world is going through a period of challenges such as rising geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, exacerbating climate impacts, persistent global inequalities, and declining development aid and climate financing.
At this point, Yilmaz emphasized that resolving humanitarian crises, especially the Gaza issue, is of vital importance for strengthening human development and global justice, and said:
Climate change is no longer just an environmental problem; it has become an increasingly complex global issue that threatens the gains we have achieved so far toward sustainable development goals. Overcoming this global challenge depends on strong international cooperation. Ten years ago, we were united around shared hopes and common goals. Today, it is time to transform those hopes into concrete results and forward-looking policies, and to take concrete steps. The full and timely implementation of the COP29 Finance Agreement, established within the framework of the Baku to Belem Roadmap, is crucial for aligning our national energy and development strategies with climate goals.
Yılmaz stated that although Türkiye's historical responsibility is limited, it remains committed to the process of transitioning from ambitious commitments to concrete action to achieve the common goals under the Paris Agreement. He continued:
Our country has set forth an ambitious roadmap for the transition to a low-carbon future by adopting a net-zero emissions target by 2053. By implementing our short- and long-term climate strategies, we are resolutely continuing our green transformation process in our main sectors. As of this year, we have increased the share of renewable energy in our total installed capacity to over 60 percent. While increasing the share of renewable energy, we are strengthening energy efficiency and expanding low-carbon technologies and circular economy practices in industry. We are prioritizing rail transportation, accelerating the transition to electric vehicles, and expanding the Zero Waste Initiative at both the national and global levels.
Recalling that Türkiye aims to reduce its emissions from 695 million tons for 2030 in its previous Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), as announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Climate Summit in New York, to 643 million tons for 2035 in the new NDC, Yılmaz also reported that the Turkish Grand National Assembly passed and enacted Türkiye's first "Climate Law" this year.
Yılmaz noted that thanks to this law, they have reached the final stages of work on the implementation of the Emissions Trading System, the Green Finance Strategy, and the creation of the National Green Taxonomy, and noted the following:
Turkey has declared its candidacy to host COP31 to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening the climate agenda on a global scale. I would like to express here, in particular, Türkiye's readiness to play a bridging role between the South and the North in combating climate change. I would like to reiterate Turkey's determination to continue our cooperation with all parties and the international community for climate action that will be carried out in a fair, equitable manner, and within the framework of the principle of shared but differentiated responsibility, with the aim of building a more prosperous, resilient, and green world for all. I thank you all.
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