COP31 President Kurum is in Tuvalu, which is expected to be submerged due to the impact of the climate crisis

Pre-COP meetings, which are critical before the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be held in Antalya, hosted by Türkiye, continue in the Pacific island countries Fiji and Tuvalu. COP31 President Kurum, who attended the Pre-COP programs in Fiji and Tuvalu before the negotiations in Antalya, saw the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project on site today with the accompanying country representatives. COP31 President Kurum, who was welcomed with a traditional ceremony, was informed about reclaimed land areas and solar energy projects designed to resist sea level rise.

“WE LISTENED TO SCIENTISTS AND LOCAL PEOPLE IN TUVALU”

Sharing a post about the field visit on his social media account, COP31 President Kurum gave the message: "We are in Tuvalu, one of the island countries in the Pacific that feels climate change most deeply before COP31, which we will host in Antalya. We listened to scientists and local people in Tuvalu, which is under the threat of being submerged. We will carry the voice of Tuvalu to the Pre-COP in Fiji, and from there to Antalya."

TUVALU IS THE MOST VULNERABLE POINT OF THE 10 PRIORITY THEMES OF THE ACTION AGENDA

One of the 10 priority themes of the COP31 Presidency's Action Agenda is the "Oceans and Seas" title, which is directly affected by climate change. One of the most striking examples of this fragility is experienced by the people of Tuvalu, which consists of 9 coral islands in the Pacific and has a population of around 10 thousand. That's why 95 percent of the island territory that hosted the Pre-COP is predicted to be under water by 2100, according to scientists. Tuvalu, which is at risk of losing its state status along with its lands, signed the "Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union" agreement with the Australian government in November 2023 to provide living space for its citizens in case this disaster scenario occurs. Within the scope of the agreement, 280 Tuvalu citizens per year are given the right to immigrate to Australia and reside there permanently, receive education and work. On the other hand, island countries such as Fiji, Vanuatu, Cuba, Jamaica, Maldives and others are among the most sensitive regions against climate change.

WHAT IS PRE-COP?

The hosting of the annual COP summit is divided into 5 regions in the UN. Last year, the summit was hosted by Brazil from the Latin American and Caribbean Group. This year, Türkiye is hosting COP31 on behalf of the "Western Europe and Others" (WEOG) group. Australia holds the negotiation chairmanship of COP31. In this context, at the request of Australia, Pre-COP is being held in the Pacific island countries Fiji and Tuvalu.

Pre-COP is known as the preliminary meeting and preparatory summit held annually to make preparations for the main summit and reduce disputes between countries before the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the world's most comprehensive climate organization.