Turkey Emerging as New Hub for Global Green Investments

September 11, 2026 · Anadolu Ajansı

Turkey's vision for green transformation, urban resilience projects, and strategic investment opportunities presented by its COP31 bid were evaluated at an international media gathering in Istanbul.

Global Media Gathering in Istanbul

A media program titled 'Strong Center Turkey for Investments' was held in Istanbul between September 3-6, in cooperation with the Directorate of Communications and the Presidential Investment and Finance Office. Dina Abi Saab, President of the Association of Accredited Correspondents to the UN in Geneva, and international journalist John Zarocostas, who participated in the program, shared their impressions with the public. Saab stated that her Istanbul visit left her with the impression of a country transforming its strategic geographical location into long-term development.

In her assessment, Dina Abi Saab, President of the Association of Accredited Correspondents to the UN in Geneva (ACANU), made the following statements:

'What impressed me the most were the country's dynamism and the goals expressed in many meetings I had. Turkey does not view climate policy, urban transformation, or technology as separate topics.'

Climate Policy and Urban Resilience

Saab emphasized the importance of interactions with Murat Kurum, the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, highlighting the concrete foundation of the country's climate vision.

Sharing her impressions after the meeting, ACANU President Dina Abi Saab said:

'This meeting grounded climate action in very concrete areas such as cities, housing, public services, resource management, and community safety. I left the meeting with the impression that Turkey intends to approach its climate policy not only as an environmental obligation but also as an urban development and resilience agenda. The Zero Waste initiative is a prime example of this approach, making waste reduction, recycling, and the circular economy much more visible in public life.'

Resilient City Construction Post-Earthquake

Turkey's comprehensive reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts launched after the February 6, 2023 earthquakes were among the most notable topics for the international delegation. According to data provided by Turkish officials, as of the end of last year, 455,000 residences, workplaces, and village houses were built across the 11 earthquake-affected provinces, adhering to climate-resilient design, renewable energy compatibility, and Zero Waste principles. Saab noted that lessons learned from disaster experiences, transformed into sustainable urban designs, directly strengthen the country's overall resilience vision.

Turkey's Capacity to Host COP31

Evaluating Turkey's capability to coordinate international climate summits, ACANU President Dina Abi Saab stated:

'I believe Turkey possesses the logistical experience, institutional capacity, and international profile necessary to host COP31. Turkey is familiar with the processes required for major international events, such as hosting delegations, managing inter-agency coordination, transportation, and security, and operating at the intersection of diplomacy, business, and civil society. In this regard, it has the practical capacity to host a conference of this scale. Turkey also has the opportunity to bring a meaningful perspective to global climate discussions. By making resilient cities a core theme of COP31, Turkey can make a significant contribution to international climate discourse.'

Green Transformation and Strategic Investments

Amidst the reshaping of global supply chains, Turkey's green industry initiatives are coming to the forefront.

ACANU President Dina Abi Saab made the following observation regarding Turkey's investment potential:

'Turkey is emerging as a strong investment center with its strategic location, industrial capacity, and increasing focus on technology, green transformation, and global supply chains. COP31, to be held in Antalya in November 2026, reinforces this goal by highlighting opportunities in climate finance, renewable energy, clean technology, and low-carbon industries.'

High-level meetings with SAHA Istanbul and Borsa Istanbul delegations concretely demonstrated the commitment to institutional transformation in finance and industry.

Infrastructure Investments and Financing Goals

John Zarocostas, an international journalist visiting Turkey for the first time in 24 years, reported observing the development in urban infrastructure firsthand.

Geneva-based international journalist John Zarocostas commented on the infrastructure steps:

'Significant investments in public infrastructure are clearly visible in Istanbul's land, rail, and air transportation systems, as well as its telecommunication networks.'

Zarocostas also touched upon the targets set by Minister Kurum, emphasizing the necessity of securing the required financial resources and conducting effective diplomacy for COP31 to be a successful implementation summit.

Turkey's Key Advantages in Foreign Investment

International journalist John Zarocostas, based in Geneva, met with economic management officials as part of the program and made the following statements regarding capital inflow:

'Turkish economists and investment promotion officials highlighted significant attraction factors for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country.'

According to official assessments, Turkey's dynamic domestic market with a population of 86.2 million, favorable tax regimes, strategic location, and skilled workforce position the country prominently on the global stage for sustainable investments.

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