Gaza's memory was brought to COP31 with the exhibition "Hope of Return: Al-Awda"

In his speech at the opening of the exhibition at the COP31 Green Zone-Congress Center Foyer Area, Memur-Sen Chairman and ILC President Ali Yalçın said that the exhibition witnessed the love of a people for their land and the hope kept alive despite all the difficulties.

Stating that the olive tree is at the center of the exhibition, Yalçın said, "We will look at that tree not only with our eyes but with our hearts. Because in Palestine, the olive tree is not just a tree. It means a family's past, a father's sweat, a mother's labor, a child's future." he said.

Stating that there is a map created by nearly a hundred keys in the exhibition, Yalçın stated that the key does not only open a door, it establishes a link between the past and the future and carries the hope of returning home again one day.

Noting that the COP31 Climate Summit, where the future of the world is discussed, was held today, Yalçın said, "There are people here who will discuss green transformation, digitalization, artificial intelligence and social transformation. It is necessary to discuss the debris created in Gaza and the damage that has occurred." he said.

"Greenhouse gas emissions associated with war and destruction reached 33.2 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent"

Stating that there is a huge wreckage in Gaza, Yalçın stated that 164 historical and cultural heritage sites were damaged, 80 thousand people lost their lives, and greenhouse gas emissions related to war and destruction were calculated to reach 33.2 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Yalçın said, "A world where prosperity rises on one side of the world, and where debris, destruction, hunger, misery and poverty are offered to people as an option on the other side, is not a fair world." he said.

Yalçın told the AA correspondent that there are striking photographs in the exhibition that show the environmental massacre and remain etched in memories.

Emphasizing that the massacre, destroyed nature and genocide in Gaza are the greatest shame of this age, Yalçın said, "This work we carried out with Anadolu Agency is extremely important. Here, there are mothers who have lost hope in Gaza, photographs of people torn away from life, children trying to complete their education in abandoned buildings and still trying to hold on to life." he said.

Pointing out that, as Memur-Sen, they want to engrave this memory in people's minds once again at COP31, Yalçın invited all visitors to visit the exhibition.

Thank you plaque to AA

Yalçın expressed his gratitude to AA General Director Serdar Karagöz and his team, the Palestinian artists who brought the exhibition to life with their works, and all institutions and organizations that contributed.

Yalçın presented a plaque of appreciation to AA for its support and contributions to the preparation of the exhibition. AA Ankara Photography News Deputy Director Aytaç Ünal received the plaque on behalf of AA Chairman and General Manager Serdar Karagöz.

Ünal said, "I accept this plaque on behalf of my colleagues and our General Manager Serdar Karagöz, who are trying to announce the voice of the Palestinian people and the genocide in Gaza to the world. I thank you." he said.

After the opening, Yalçın toured the exhibition with the chairmen of the unions affiliated with Memur-Sen and guests from home and abroad.

The exhibition included 63 photographs taken by AA photojournalists, drawing attention to the humanitarian and environmental destruction in Gaza.