COP31 message from Minister Kurum in Fiji: Our common goal is to maintain 1.5 degrees

Stating that countries should act in cooperation regarding climate finance, the Institution said, "Unfortunately, climate change knows no boundaries, so our solution cannot be limited."

Stating that many decisions regarding financing have been made in the past, but they need to be implemented, the Authority said that supporting a just transition and increasing the resilience of fragile countries against climate impacts is critical for global climate action.

"OUR COMMON GOAL IS CLEAR"

Stating that the COP31 Presidency focuses on the transition from goals to implementation, Kurum said that scientific knowledge should be transformed into concrete policies, policies into investments, and investments into measurable results in the field.

The institution said:

"As the COP31 Presidency, our common goal is clear; we invite you to Antalya to protect the 1.5 degree target, limit the exceedance as much as possible, and turn climate action into a strong implementation process extending from today to the future. When we come to Antalya, we want to talk about what we have done, not what we will do. We have already talked about what we will do. I wholeheartedly believe that we will make that decision together."

"THE TRANSFORMATION POLICY CAN NEVER BE RETURNED"

Speaking at the closing session of the Pre-COP, the Authority said that, as the COP31 Presidency, they have emphasized implementation and action since the first day.

Stating that no matter how difficult the global agenda is, the transformation policy cannot be reversed, Kurum stated that especially electrification will be the driving force of the period. He drew attention to the importance of providing financing and access to financing for the projects required for NDC and NAP implementations.

Emphasizing that there will be no surprise or top-down decision in Antalya, Kurum said, "There will definitely be no surprise. It will definitely not be a top-down decision." he said.

The institution also drew attention to the problems experienced by the Pacific islands in Fiji and the demands of countries such as Nepal, which feel the effects of climate change.

CLIMATE DIPLOMACY AT PRE-COP

As part of his contacts in Fiji, Murat Kurum held bilateral meetings with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat.

The institution also met with Monique Barbut, French Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity and International Negotiations on Climate and Nature. The global climate crisis, biodiversity protection, green transformation and climate resilient cities were discussed during the meeting.

The institution also held a tripartite meeting with European Commission Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra and Australian Minister of Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen.

COP31 President Kurum also held bilateral meetings with COP30 President Andrea De Lago, Singapore Minister of Sustainability and Environment Grace Fu Hai Yien, Fiji Minister of Environment and Climate Lynda Tabuya, and Fiji-Vanuatu and Fiji-France delegations.