Saulo answered the questions of the AA correspondent before the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which Antalya will host on 9-20 November.
Expressing that there has been a strong desire to implement the promises made since the previous COP meetings and during the COP31 process, Saulo stated that the role of WMO comes into play at this point and that its expectations are focused on this issue.
Saulo said, "In my opinion, it is now time to implement various issues on the action agenda and WMO will take an active role in this process. I welcome the fact that Türkiye will host COP31. Turkey's active role in climate diplomacy is very clear, and the agenda items are very appropriate for the period we are in. Therefore, under the leadership of Murat Kurum (Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change), who was appointed as the President of COP31, we are at a good point where discussions will be held and concrete steps will be taken to change our current course." I believe we will." he said.
Stating that according to the COP31 Action Agenda prepared by Turkey, a science-based, evidence- and action-oriented harmony is very important, Saulo said that this forms the basis of COP31 and that WMO is in full compliance with this agenda.
Saulo, COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, reminded that the Institution came to Geneva in September, and noted that the Institution's goals regarding national meteorology and hydrology services were very clear during this visit and that he was confident that progress would be made in their realization.
Emphasizing that WMO is a science-based and technical organization, Saulo said, "We are fully in line with the COP31 Action Agenda. On the one hand, we believe that science should be at the core of decision-making processes. There are other elements in the COP31 Action Agenda, such as clean energies, city-oriented approaches, youth and communities. There are roles that WMO can undertake in many of these topics, because we provide information based on climate data and climate forms the basis of many decision-making processes. As a result, there is a difference between the WMO vision and the vision of the COP31 presidency "I believe there is a close harmony, and this is of critical importance in the period we are in." he said.
Saulo stated that there is no special focus on El Nino, which is expected to be felt at the highest levels at the end of the year, but the El Nino weather event clearly demonstrates the necessity of climate action, resilience and adaptation.
"Türkiye is doing a great job at both organizational and strategic levels"
Pointing out that the current El Nino weather event has an impact beyond what has been seen before, Saulo pointed out that the situation it reveals is the concrete reality of what is happening in the context of climate impacts and that this issue will be part of the dialogue to be held during COP31.
Saulo stated that there is a mechanism called the Systematic Observation Financing Facility, which aims to support the least developed countries and small island states in developing their observation systems, and underlined that this mechanism requires collective effort and needs to be developed.
Stating that WMO's "early warning for all" initiative is a critical part of the climate change adaptation agenda, Saulo said that a very important and high-level event focusing on this issue will be held during COP31.
Stating that early warning systems save lives and that there is a broad consensus that progress is being made in this field, Saulo said, "The problem is that this progress is not happening at the speed we desire. Therefore, we are faced with an issue on which everyone agrees and on which we must strive with all our strength. This is exactly the main issue we will address in this high-level event." he said.
Stating that he is very excited to participate in the upcoming COP31, Saulo said, "Turkey is doing great at COP31, both at the organizational and strategic levels. I hope all countries will come together to follow the big idea and vision behind this COP31. Please use science and evidence-based content to guide your policies, move faster, implement immediately." he said.
