Stating that at the COP26 held in Glasgow in 2021, a common commitment was made to stop and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 and that Türkiye was among the signatories of this declaration, Yumaklı said, "The picture has changed in the intervening 5 years. Temperatures are increasing, drought is deepening, forest fires are becoming more frequent, more severe and more destructive. Unfortunately, a significant part of the global tree cover loss occurs from residual fires. Climate "The crisis increasingly threatens the forests that are part of the solution. Therefore, our goal remains valid, but we need more scale, urgency and international cooperation to achieve it," he said.
Türkiye IS ADVANCED THAN EUROPE IN AFFORESTATION
Pointing out that a comprehensive mobilization has been carried out in forestry in the last quarter century, Minister Yumaklı said, "Under the leadership of our President, with the work of our General Directorate of Forestry, we planted 8.3 billion saplings between 2002 and 2025. According to FAO's 2025 Global Forest Resources Assessment, Turkey ranked first in Europe and third in the world in afforestation in the 2020-2025 period." he said. Stating that the issue for Türkiye is not just planting trees, Minister Yumaklı noted that they carry out afforestation with the understanding of ecosystem restoration along with improving degraded forests and combating erosion.
'FIRES KNOW NO BORDERS'
Stating that the fire prevention, early detection and rapid response capacity in Türkiye is constantly being improved, Yumaklı said, "We reforest the fire-affected areas in accordance with their ecological characteristics. Fires know no boundaries. The solution must be shared." Minister Yumaklı stated that they presented a new plan at COP31 with the momentum gained from the 'Integrated Fire Management Action Call' put forward together with Brazil. Stating that the aim is to strengthen international cooperation and take concrete steps in fire management, Yumaklı said, "We are proud to launch the Integrated Fire Management Antalya Action Plan, under the leadership of Türkiye, in cooperation with Brazil, the Republic of (South) Korea, FAO (Food and Climate Organization of the United Nations) and the Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership. This plan aims to transform global commitments into practical cooperation, common knowledge and concrete action on the field. Turkey uses its knowledge in this field within the framework of the Antalya Action Plan." "It is ready to share it with all its partners," he said.
CALL FOR JOINT ACTION AGAINST FOREST FIRES
Yumaklı invited all countries and partners to participate in the Antalya Action Plan and said, "Participation is voluntary. We aim to work together in line with national priorities and international frameworks, by sharing effective practices and strengthening resilience against forest fires. We need your support to take the first steps of the plan. Likewise, we attach importance to the implementation of the Forest Road Map put forward by Brazil at COP30."
PEACE FOREST IN ANTALYA IN MEMORY OF COP
Pointing out that Türkiye has prioritized strengthening the carbon sink function of forests in line with the 2053 net zero emission target, Yumaklı said, "Our existing forests form the basis of this effort with the carbon they have accumulated over the years and the carbon they sequester every year. Therefore, protecting forests against fire, destruction and degradation is one of the priorities of our climate policy." Stating that saplings were planted in 81 provinces on November 11, National Afforestation Day, Yumaklı said, "We created a Peace Forest in Antalya in memory of the COP. This is not a coincidence but a message; achieving global climate goals is only possible with the contribution of all segments of society on the field."
3 PRIORITY AREAS FOR THE 2030 GOAL
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı emphasized that there is a need to accelerate in 3 areas for the 2030 target and said: "First, finance and technology. We must strengthen long-term and accessible financing for the protection of forests and repair of ecosystems, and facilitate countries' access to finance and technology. Second, sharing knowledge and experience. We must deepen scientific cooperation and sharing of field experience between countries. Third, people. We cannot protect forests sustainably without supporting the livelihoods of forest villages and local communities."
