Minister Memişoğlu: As Türkiye, we are proud to be the co-executor of this alliance.

Memişoğlu attended the High Level Opening Program held on the occasion of ATACH Day, within the scope of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change, hosted by Türkiye, in Antalya.

Speaking at the opening, Memişoğlu started his speech by commemorating the founder of the Republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with mercy, gratitude and respect on the 88th anniversary of his death.

Memişoğlu emphasized that they attach great importance to ATACH, which was established under the leadership of WHO, and said, "ATACH is a global alliance that brings together countries to reduce the negative effects of climate change on human health and to establish climate-resistant, low-carbon and sustainable health systems. As Turkey, we are proud to be the co-executive of this alliance." he said.

Underlining that they took an important step in the history of the COP with the COP31 Health Day held yesterday, Memişoğlu noted that health has become an independent action agenda for the first time and that they have strengthened their position in climate negotiations.

"CREATING HEALTH SYSTEMS THAT ARE RESISTANT TO CLIMATE CHANGE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS HOLISTIC APPROACH"

Memişoğlu emphasized that in the four thematic panels and High Level Round Table meeting they held within the scope of Health Day, they comprehensively evaluated the creation of dynamic and resilient health systems, climate and health financing, digital health solutions, equitable access to health services, sustainable health infrastructure and crisis-prepared health service provision.

Pointing out that, according to the common approach they put forward in these meetings, health should be at the center of climate action, beyond being an area affected by the results of climate policies, Memişoğlu said:

"Türkiye's approach in this field fully coincides with our vision of the Turkey Century and our understanding of Productive Health under the leadership of our President. Creating health systems that are resistant to climate changes is an integral part of this holistic approach. In this context, I would like to particularly highlight the Antalya Resilient Health Systems Initiative (AIR), which we see as one of the most important concrete contributions of our COP31 Presidency. AIR is an initiative that aims to transform the political will put forward at the global level in the field of climate and health into concrete practices at the country level. "We define AIR not only as a declaration or a new cooperation platform, but as a practice-oriented international solidarity mechanism that countries can benefit from according to their own priorities and needs."

Memişoğlu stated that through this initiative, they aim to develop implementation frameworks that will increase the resilience of countries' health systems against climate change, share successful country experiences and good practices, strengthen cooperation in the fields of technical knowledge and capacity development, and disseminate and implement the developed solutions at the country level.

Minister Memişoğlu stated that, as Türkiye, they wish the initiative to be developed and adopted with the contributions of international partners and to turn into a permanent cooperation mechanism after COP31.