COP31 President urges world leaders to turn climate pledges into action, calls for long-term decisions

Antalya, November 12: COP31 President Murat Kurum has urged world leaders to move beyond climate commitments and take concrete decisions that deliver lasting results, calling on governments to ensure that climate action continues beyond their political terms.

Addressing the COP31 Leaders’ Summit in Antalya, attended by 102 leaders from 95 countries, Kurum outlined three key priorities for accelerating global climate action: translating climate targets into investment, improving access to climate finance and strengthening cities against climate-related risks.

“Let’s make decisions that will outlast our terms in office,” Kurum told world leaders, stressing the need for long-term political commitment and practical implementation of climate pledges.

Highlighting the gap between climate ambitions and their implementation, Kurum said national climate targets must be reflected in government budgets and investment programmes.

He pointed to the proposed 35 by 35 Global Electrification Pledge, which seeks to increase electricity’s share of final energy consumption to 35 per cent by 2035.

The initiative underscores the importance of accelerating electrification as countries seek to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and advance their energy transitions.

On climate finance, Kurum called for simpler and more accessible mechanisms to help countries turn climate projects into reality. He highlighted Türkiye’s proposed Climate Implementation Bridge, an initiative designed to connect projects with financing, technology and technical expertise.

The COP31 presidency’s emphasis on climate finance comes amid continuing concerns over the gap between the resources required by developing countries and the financial support currently available to implement climate mitigation and adaptation measures.

Kurum also stressed the need to make cities more resilient to the growing impacts of climate change. He called for strengthening water resources, agricultural systems and critical infrastructure to prepare communities for future climate risks.

Offering Türkiye’s experience in post-earthquake reconstruction, he said the country was ready to share its expertise with nations facing climate-related disasters and other emergencies.

The COP31 President also highlighted the Zero Waste Movement, circular economy approaches and methane emission reductions as practical tools for tackling the climate crisis.

He warned that water and food security are increasingly becoming national security priorities, underlining the need for countries to strengthen cooperation in addressing interconnected environmental and climate challenges.

“There is no competition in areas where climate risks know no borders. Developing a shared understanding serves all our interests,” Kurum said.

Concluding his address, Kurum called on participating countries to make the Antalya summit a turning point in global climate diplomacy.

“Let’s make Antalya the symbol of the transition from promises to action,” he said.