COP31 and OECD Unite for Global Climate Action

September 17, 2026 · Sabah Ekonomi

A strategic partnership agreement was announced in Paris between COP31, chaired by Turkey, and the OECD, calling for data-driven financing and concrete action against the climate crisis.

COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, officially announced the strategic partnership between the COP31 Presidency and the OECD at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Council Meeting held in Paris. Speaking at the meeting attended by OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann and representatives of member countries, COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum highlighted the importance of cooperation, stating:

Minister Murat Kurum stated that the new era in climate diplomacy should be built on implementation, conveying an approach of dialogue, consensus, and action. Reminding that Turkey holds the COP31 presidency and hosts the event, while Australia chairs the negotiations, Minister Kurum noted that meetings have been held in Ankara, Istanbul, Hatay, Bonn, London, and Trabzon. Emphasizing the requirements of the process, COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum said:

The COP31 Presidency's action plan includes clean energy, Zero Waste, methane reduction, climate-resilient cities, green industrialization, education, food security, oceans, resilient health systems, Rio Synergies, and the Climate Implementation Bridge. Emphasizing that ten priority themes have been identified within this scope, COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum made the following statement:

According to the 2035 targets announced by the Ministry, the global electrification rate is planned to be increased to 35%, and the increase in waste generation is to be halved. Furthermore, the aim is to bring energy intensity in the building sector to at least 25% and the use of circular materials to at least 15% by 2035, and to expand climate-resilient agricultural practices. Stating that the targets reflect a commitment to the issue, COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum continued his remarks:

Within the framework of the Climate Implementation Bridge, Minister Murat Kurum cited Turkey's implemented Sustainable Urban Resilience Financing Facility (SURFF) model as an example, stating that access to finance for local governments has been strengthened. Highlighting the importance of data-driven analysis, COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum said:

Minister Murat Kurum stated that the climate crisis should be addressed as a global security issue, similar to military threats, and drew attention to NATO countries increasing their defense investments to 5% of their national income. Calling for resource mobilization, COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum stated:

Minister Murat Kurum announced that the diplomatic calendar will continue with New York Climate Week and the Pre-COP meetings in Fiji, and invited all representatives to the summit in Antalya. Completing his call regarding the summit process, COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum said:

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