APA Information Agency interviewed Murat Kurum, Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change
- The leaders of some countries, such as France and Norway, which contribute more to environmental pollution and are among the main culprits of climate change, as well as the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, are not participating in COP29. What is your view on the indifference of leaders from countries that bear greater responsibility for climate change toward these initiatives?
This is an attempt to sabotage Azerbaijan's process of hosting COP29. We do not believe this is correct. On one hand, while saying “our shared home, shared world, shared future requires us to take action,” not being present in Azerbaijan for such a gathering is contradictory.
Nevertheless, Azerbaijan has shown the world that it is hosting COP29 in an exemplary manner. We are witnessing a process where Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Ministers are present, and goals are being shared. First of all, I congratulate our Azerbaijani brothers for the work they have accomplished and the projects they have implemented. Whether they want it or not, this event is being held at a high level. The main thing is to implement the decisions adopted within the framework of COP29. Inshallah, the decisions made will be significant for our future and will be implemented. We must be sincere. Developing countries do not bear historical responsibility, yet developed countries are even declining to participate in the conference. One then questions the sincerity behind this. Regardless of whether they are sincere, we will continue this work with every state willing to take action, with our Azerbaijani friends and other friends. In this context, we will emphasize the importance of climate investments.
- Will the targets related to climate investment be achieved at COP29, and will these funds be raised?
-Inshallah. It is important for this to happen. Discussions on this will be held over the next ten days. There are decisions made in the past, and a $100 billion investment has been secured. However, everyone knows that this $100 billion will not be enough. Now it is essential to adopt decisions that will increase this amount to the trillion-dollar level and to ensure direct support for developing countries. We hope such decisions will be adopted.
- In his address at the COP29 Leaders’ Summit, President Erdoğan mentioned that Türkiye is one of the countries most affected by climate change. What steps is Türkiye taking to combat climate change?
- Türkiye has taken and continues to take many steps even without being a party to the Paris Agreement. We have implemented various actions across industry, production, and other sectors. Through national gardens, forest expansion, the increase in the number of protected areas, and our electric vehicles, we are carrying out this process and will continue to do so.
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on X
