COP31 Presidency, World Meteorological Organization Information Meeting High Level Session was held at the World Meteorological Organization Headquarters in Geneva.
Speaking at the meeting, COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum drew attention to the extent of the climate crisis in the light of the data of the World Meteorological Organization. "If you ask what the outcome of climate change is, we can clearly point to Nepal," said Kurum, adding, "The global climate system is experiencing its most unstable period in history. Temperatures are at record levels, there is a risk of drought, on the one hand, glaciers are melting, and an El Nino warning is being issued for the end of 2026. Global climate risk is now directly reflected on people's lives, livelihoods, cities and development opportunities. We saw one of the most painful examples of this in Nepal a few weeks ago. It occurred in the Himalayas." "The massive flood triggered by the collapse of the glacier hit residential areas, roads, bridges and energy infrastructure. 1,386 people lost their lives and more than 5,130 people are still missing."
'WE ARE EXPERIENCED THE MOST VARIABLE PROCESS OF RAIN IN OUR HISTORY IN TURKEY'
Minister Kurum also emphasized the climate-related disasters experienced by Turkey and said, "Today, temperatures are rising in Turkey, precipitation patterns are changing and extreme weather events are occurring more frequently. We are experiencing the most variable period in our history in terms of precipitation. While we saw the lowest precipitation level of the last 52 years in 2025, we reached the highest precipitation level of the last 66 years in 2026. In the last 10 years, we have experienced floods, floods and landslides following excessive precipitation in some of our provinces at the same time." "We fought forest fires in another region," he said.
SCHOOL EXAMPLE IN NEPAL FOR EARLY WARNING
Behind the meteorological risks of disasters; Stating that he reminded that there are houses, farmers, children and families, Minister Kurum stated that scientifically based measurement and warning systems of meteorology are of vital importance at this point. The institution stated, "When we look at the issue from this perspective, we have to say that accurate observation, accurate prediction and timely warning are the most basic human security issues in the world today. The first condition of correct implementation is knowing the risk correctly."
Minister Kurum shared the example given by Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), with whom he met today regarding early warning, and continued his words as follows:
"Before the flood in Nepal, a school and the principal of that school, Mr. Dawadi, saved the lives of more than 900 children by taking them to the mountains. About 13 minutes later, the school collapsed. In other words, by racing against time and with the right attitude, he helped save 900 of our children and children there. We have seen by experience how important and how valuable the early warning system is, raising public awareness in this sense, and giving this education to children."
'WE STRONGLY SUPPORT THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION'S 'EARLY WARNINGS FOR EVERY INITIATIVE'
Stating that, as the COP31 Presidency, they attach great importance to the goal of implementing early warning systems, Kurum said, "We know that meteorology and climate information are the scientific basis of decisions from disaster preparedness to water management, from agriculture to health and planning of resilient cities. Therefore, strengthening the observation, forecasting and early warning capacity is one of the most important parts of the COP31 implementation approach. I express these as a minister who has personally been to disasters and fought against disasters. We also support the World Meteorological Organization's 'Early Warning Initiative for All'." "As the COP31 Presidency, we strongly support Türkiye," he said.
'WE SHOULD REDUCE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SCIENCE AND APPLICATION'
COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Kurum explained Turkey's work in the field of meteorology and noted that the General Directorate of Meteorology shows upcoming dangers with different color codes with the 'MeteoWARNING' system and delivers warnings at the provincial and district level to the public and relevant institutions. Underlining that early warning systems also make important contributions to food safety, Kurum said:
"For a farmer, a temperature difference of a few degrees, a few hours of early rain, hail or an overnight frost can affect the work of a whole year. Therefore, weather forecasting is a production tool that makes strategic the timing of planting, irrigation, spraying and harvesting. Carrying meteorological information more strongly to the daily decisions of the producer in the field also strengthens food security. Because the prediction focused on the impact combines information directly with preparation. Accurate prediction and early action can prevent major losses. The success of early warning is achieved by turning information into timely action." "We want information to guide planning, investment and practice. We must reduce the distance between science and practice. The result we want to achieve is clear: a world where people are better protected against disasters, cities can foresee their risks, farmers have access to information at the right time and access to clean, reliable energy is expanded."
'1.5 DEGREE TARGET IS OUR COMPASS'
Minister Kurum emphasized that action should be taken instead of talking in the face of the climate crisis, and pointed out that strong steps should be taken in line with the 1.5 degree target: "Whatever climate-related disaster we talk about, we face this reality. We have to minimize risks, reduce emissions faster, strengthen adaptation capacity and support fragile societies. We now have to go beyond talking. The talking process is over. For 10 years, the world has talked enough, consulted, and agreed on certain issues. But in the next period, it is time to make decisions." "We have to. If we are sitting in these seats, if we take on these responsibilities, we will act together for our future, for our world. The world expects this from us. And we all have to reduce the rising heat of the world. The road may get difficult, we may encounter difficulties, but the 1.5 degree target is our compass. Our duty on this path is to strengthen the policies and practices that will take us to the safe climate path."
'IF YOU ARE GOING TO APPLY TREATMENT, YOU SHOULD DIAGNOSE FIRST'
Referring to the 'Implementation COP' target of the COP31 Presidency, the Institution said, "If you are going to apply treatment, you must first make a diagnosis. For this reason, we have been emphasizing the 'Implementation COP' from the beginning. In this sense, we want to talk about how to implement existing commitments in Antalya and how to overcome financing, technology and capacity obstacles. Our dialogue, consensus and action approach also expresses this. Understanding different conditions, growing the common ground and turning this ground into results on the field. Between east and west, "We are trying to carry out the process with a view and understanding that will serve as a bridge between the south and the north and carry that understanding that no one is left behind to the COP31 Presidency," he said.
THE MINISTER INSTITUTION EXPLAINED THE 10 PRIORITY AREAS OF THE COP31 PRESIDENCY
Minister Kurum underlined the action agenda titles and 2053 targets put forward by the COP31 Presidency for implementation against the climate crisis. Talking about clean energy and electrification, Zero Waste, resilient cities, green industrialization, youth and education, food security, oceans and seas, resilient health systems, Rio Synergies and Climate Implementation Bridge, the Institution drew attention to the resilient cities built after the Construction of the Century Campaign, which was completed in the earthquake zone. He stated that the COP31 Presidency also set out clear implementation targets for 2035 to implement the action agenda.
'THERE IS NO MEANING IN PROTECTING YOUR LAND AS LONG AS THERE IS NO WORLD LEFT TO LIVE IN'
Underlining again that all countries should allocate resources to the fight against climate change, just as NATO countries increased their defense budgets, Minister Kurum said, "If countries do not want to experience the risks of energy security and food crises after the crises we are experiencing today, each country must be self-sufficient in every field. All leaders must show this will. Just as NATO countries increase their budgets to 5 percent for their own security, they have to put forward the same view, the same stance, the same attitude in the fight against climate change. Because after there is no longer a livable world left." "Even if you protect your lands, your country, your people, it is meaningless if there is no world to live in," he said.
'WE WILL BRING SCIENCE TOGETHER STRONGER WITH DECISION AND APPLICATION'
COP31 President Kurum stated that they will hold the New York Climate Week programs next week, followed by the Fiji Pre-COP, the World Leaders Summit and the thematic days of COP31 in Antalya, and said, "We will bring together science with decision and practice more strongly at every stage. We wish the dialogue that started here to turn into concrete partnerships, investments and implementation in Antalya."
Reminding that Turkey will continue to share its knowledge and experience with other countries, the Authority added that in this context, 30 technical personnel from the least developed countries will be trained every year for 3 years.
