COP31 President: D-8 Can Become a New Force in Global Climate Agenda

The D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation has the potential to become a transformative force in the global climate agenda, according to Türkiye’s Minister of Environment and COP31 President Murat Kurum. Speaking on Friday at the opening of the International D-8 Ministerial Meeting on Environment and Climate Change in Istanbul, Kurum highlighted the bloc’s unique position. “The D-8, with a region stretching from Asia to Africa and the Middle East and a population of over one billion, holds a privileged position and transformative power in the global climate agenda,” Kurum said. “The joint commitment shown by the D-8 will be an important factor in COP31’s implementation-focused approach.” The meeting was attended by officials responsible for environment and climate change from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye. Kurum described the gathering as a crucial momentum ahead of Türkiye’s presidency of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31). He argued that strengthening cooperation among D-8 countries would enhance the role of developing nations in the global climate agenda. He stressed that climate change is no longer just a future risk but a global challenge directly affecting economic development, urban areas, food security, energy systems, and public welfare. Despite various commitments, Kurum noted a significant gap remains between climate targets and their implementation on the ground. He said Türkiye is ready to share its experience in post-disaster reconstruction, implementation of the Zero Waste programme, building resilient cities, energy efficiency, circular economy, and sustainable infrastructure development. “We view COP31 as an implementation platform to accelerate climate change adaptation, strengthen access to finance and technology, enhance urban resilience, and expand the application of nature-based solutions,” he stated. He explained that the COP31 presidency is built on three main principles: “dialogue, consensus, and action.” The COP31 Türkiye Action Agenda includes ten priority areas, such as reducing methane emissions, accelerating electrification and energy efficiency, developing sustainable agriculture, supporting green industrialisation, and building climate-resilient cities. The agenda also prioritises youth participation, strengthening resilient systems, and enhancing cross-sector collaboration. Targets include increasing the global electrification rate to 35 percent, halving the growth rate of global waste generation, reducing energy intensity in buildings by at least 25 percent, and increasing the use of circular materials in production and manufacturing sectors by at least 15 percent. The agenda also aims to expand climate change education and improve the speed, effectiveness, and inclusiveness of climate finance. Kurum explained that one of COP31’s key initiatives is the Climate Implementation Bridge, designed to help developing countries transform climate commitments into fundable projects and expand access to financing. The meeting was scheduled to discuss various issues, including climate adaptation, loss and damage, climate finance, just transition, and strengthening cooperation among D-8 member states. Kurum added that the Istanbul Declaration would encapsulate the D-8’s shared vision on environment and climate change, providing a significant contribution to the COP31 conference in Antalya, Türkiye.