Türkiye is maintaining its strong momentum in its candidacy to host the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) under the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change next year, Fatma Varank, deputy minister of environment, urbanization and climate change and Türkiye's chief climate negotiator, said on Monday.
Speaking to Anadolu on the sidelines of COP30 in Belem, the capital of Brazil's Para state, Varank said climate change remains one of the most pressing global challenges and requires strong commitments from all countries.
During the UN 80th General Assembly week in New York, hosting deliberations were conducted with Australia where the two countries reached a common understanding on shared-host for COP31, Varank noted.
"In fact, we had agreed to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the implementation details within two weeks," she explained.
However, she said, in his official letter addressed to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Australian Prime Minister stated that they did not want to prolong negotiations on the previously agreed matters and wished to host COP31 alone.
"In Türkiye's response, the understanding reached in New York was described as an exemplary step that would strengthen multilateralism in today's international context through a cooperative and equitable approach. Türkiye also expressed that it remained open to cooperation opportunities," she underlined.
At the same time, it was conveyed that if, despite all efforts, a common resolution cannot be reached, Türkiye stands ready to host COP31 alone and to assume the conference presidency.
Varank stated that, by keeping climate action at the core, Türkiye attaches great importance to ensuring that COP31 focuses not only on one specific region, but on all vulnerable regions, including the Pacific, which is among the most affected by the climate crisis.
She further emphasized that, should Türkiye assume the hosting role, it would be able to act as a bridge between developed and developing countries.
"Our bid to host COP31 is not merely a regional priority, but a call for global solidarity for our shared future," she said.
Varank noted that Türkiye is ready to host COP31 on its own and to take on the conference presidency.
The participation of Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz in the COP30 Leaders Summit in Belem demonstrates Türkiye's clear determination to assume the COP31 presidency, she said.
Varank added that Turkish Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum, will arrive in Belem on November 18 to attend the Ministerial Session, and therefore she expects the hosting deliberations regarding Türkiye's candidacy to accelerate and reach a conclusion soon.
By Gulsen Cagatay in Belem, Brazil
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr