Director of Communications Duran: Türkiye showed the world that it is at the center of diplomacy

Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, who visited the Media Center established within the scope of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) held in Antalya between 9-20 November, answered the questions of journalists. Referring to the importance of the summit for Türkiye's position in international diplomacy, Duran said that COP31 was also held in Türkiye after the NATO and Organization of Turkic States summits. Duran emphasized that the summit should be a meeting where concrete decisions are taken and implemented in the fight against climate change.

Stating that two main issues came to the fore at COP31, Duran said that the first of these was climate justice. Duran said, "As developed countries industrialized, they caused environmental damage to the world in a sense. When we look at it from this aspect, the responsibility lies more with them. Therefore, this burden should not be placed on developing countries, on the contrary, there should be a sharing of finance, especially technology, to protect the environment and to combat climate change."

Stating that the second important issue is the implementation of the decisions taken, Duran stated that President Erdoğan also drew attention to this issue in his speech. Duran said, "Our President emphasized this by saying, 'We will not pretend. The decisions taken must be put into practice.'" Explaining that COP31 was founded on the understanding of compromise, action and dialogue, Duran said that negotiations alone are not enough in climate policies and that joint decisions must be implemented.

Stating that Gaza should not be forgotten at a summit where climate change is discussed, Duran said that President Erdoğan also included this issue in his speech. Duran said, "There is a genocide committed by the Netanyahu government in Gaza, but they did not stop there. By slaughtering the olive trees, they actually committed an environmental genocide there."

Providing information about President Erdoğan's diplomatic traffic in Antalya, Duran said, "Our President has held 10 bilateral meetings since his arrival in Antalya. There will be a very intense diplomatic traffic tomorrow. It is expected that at least as many meetings will be held, more than 20 bilateral meetings."

Duran noted that Erdoğan made two separate speeches at the leaders' summit, and that previous COP presidents also jointly supported Türkiye's COP31 presidency.

Stating that COP31 attracted intense media attention from all over the world, Duran said, "As the Directorate of Communications, we are working with the UN on media accreditation. 4 thousand press members from approximately 5 continents are following this great summit."

Duran explained that the Directorate of Communications has prepared books on climate diplomacy, a climate change dictionary and publications about Türkiye's COP31 term presidency, and that it has carried out extensive work within the scope of combating disinformation.

Pointing out Antalya's capacity to host international organizations, Duran stated that COP31 is a larger organization than NATO and the Organization of Turkic States summits. Duran said, "It was very valuable to hold this summit in Antalya, which represents one of the most beautiful meetings of blue and green. In this context, our Minister Murat Kurum also made significant efforts in these works carried out under the leadership of our President."

Stating that the organization was appreciated by the leaders, Duran said, "We are trying to host nearly 4 thousand press members here in the best possible way and to give strong messages about climate change from Antalya to the world. I received generally positive reactions in this context."