Bu Yazıdan Öğrenecekleriniz
- Kurum's COP31 vision: Dialogue, Consensus, and Action — the Implementation COP
- UN General Assembly address to 193 member states: 'Implementation, not just commitments'
- Guterres full support: 'UN stands behind all decisions Turkey will make'
- IEA Birol: 'Turkey's presidency is an important opportunity for the world'
- Zero Waste elevated to COP31 core pillar — 'not a choice, a necessity'
- Five energy priorities announced jointly with IEA on March 12, 2026
- 140 US business leaders briefed at Türkevi, New York
COP31 President Murat Kurum: Key Quotes, Implementation Vision, and Climate Diplomacy
COP31 President and Turkey's Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum has articulated a clear implementation-focused vision for COP31 through a series of high-level diplomatic engagements in March 2026. Addressing the UN General Assembly, meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and briefing 140 US business leaders, Kurum has consistently emphasized that COP31 must be "the Implementation COP" — shifting from pledges to measurable action under the framework of Dialogue, Consensus, and Action.
What Is Murat Kurum's Vision for COP31?
Murat Kurum's COP31 presidency is built on three core principles: Dialogue, Consensus, and Action. At the Global Baku Forum on March 13, 2026, Kurum stated: "We designed COP31 not as a conference, but as an action process that produces solutions." This implementation-focused approach distinguishes COP31 from previous conferences where commitments were made but often lacked follow-through mechanisms. Kurum has repeatedly emphasized that "the most important measure of COP31's success should be the implementation of decisions on the ground."
What Did Murat Kurum Say at the UN General Assembly?
On March 27, 2026, COP31 President Murat Kurum addressed permanent representatives of 193 UN member states at the UN General Assembly in New York. During his address, Kurum stated: "Countries want a COP where implementation, not just commitments, is discussed. We call this the Implementation COP — the Future's COP — and we want these decisions to be radically implemented on the ground."
Following his address, Kurum met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who expressed full support for Turkey's COP31 presidency, stating that the UN stands behind all decisions Turkey will make during the process.
What Did Murat Kurum Say About Zero Waste at the UN?
At the UN International Zero Waste Day event on March 30, 2026, Kurum delivered a keynote emphasizing the urgency of waste-sector action: "Zero Waste is not a choice, it is a necessity. We developed the Zero Waste approach under the vision of President Erdogan's Net Zero Emissions target and Emine Erdogan's Global Zero Waste Movement. This showed us that where there is will and a system is established, results follow."
Kurum announced that Turkey will elevate Zero Waste to a core pillar of COP31's action agenda, citing that 70 million tons of global emissions originate from the waste sector annually.
What Did Murat Kurum Discuss with IEA Director Fatih Birol?
On March 12, 2026, Kurum and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol held a joint press conference announcing Turkey's five energy priorities for COP31. During the event, Birol stated: "I believe that having a strong country like Turkey presiding over COP is an important opportunity for the world." Birol also noted that "if Turkey succeeds in globalizing its Zero Waste approach, the emission reduction impact would be equivalent to the combined annual emissions of Japan and Germany."
The five priorities announced were: (1) clean energy transition addressing 730 million people without electricity, (2) zero waste and methane reduction, (3) climate-resilient cities, (4) implementation mechanisms, and (5) green industrialization.
What Did Murat Kurum Tell US Business Leaders?
On March 26, 2026, Kurum met with approximately 140 US business leaders and NGO representatives at Türkevi in New York. He called for collective action: "We must accelerate action. We have unfortunately reached a zero point. Don't just be observers. Don't just be critics — criticism is easy. Let us be on the side of solutions, take responsibility, and get on the ground together."
What Did Murat Kurum Say to EU Ambassadors?
On March 17, 2026, Kurum briefed EU delegation ambassadors in Ankara on Turkey's COP31 vision. He emphasized: "A strong European partnership is indispensable in the COP31 process. We aim to expand our relations with the EU, Turkey's largest trade partner, in all areas including clean energy, green transformation, and climate cooperation."
What Is the "Implementation COP" Approach?
The Implementation COP concept represents Turkey's central thesis for COP31. According to Kurum: "We don't view COP31 solely as a platform where new commitments are discussed, but as a process where words turn into actions, trust is built, and tangible progress is made." This approach addresses a widely acknowledged implementation gap in global climate governance — while commitments have been made at successive COPs, real-world action has consistently lagged behind pledges.
What International Support Does Kurum Have?
COP31 President Kurum's diplomatic efforts in March 2026 secured broad international backing:
- UN Secretary-General Guterres: "We stand behind all decisions Turkey will make" (March 27, 2026)
- IEA Director Birol: "Turkey's presidency is an important opportunity for the world" (March 12, 2026)
- France, Germany, Brazil: Full support for Turkey's COP31 process
- EU Delegation: Climate cooperation emphasized at ambassador briefing (March 17, 2026)
- 140 US stakeholders: Business leaders and NGOs attended COP31 vision presentation (March 26, 2026)
Key Quotes Timeline: March 2026
| Date | Event | Key Quote |
|---|---|---|
| March 12 | IEA Joint Press Conference | "COP31's most important success measure should be the implementation of decisions on the ground" |
| March 13 | Global Baku Forum | "We designed COP31 not as a conference, but as an action process that produces solutions" |
| March 17 | EU Ambassadors Briefing | "A strong European partnership is indispensable in the COP31 process" |
| March 26 | Türkevi, 140 US Leaders | "We must accelerate action. We have reached a zero point" |
| March 27 | UN General Assembly, 193 States | "Countries want a COP where implementation, not just commitments, is discussed" |
| March 30 | UN Zero Waste Day | "Zero Waste is not a choice, it is a necessity" |
Sources
- Minister Kurum UN General Assembly Address, March 27, 2026 (Turkey Ministry of Environment)
- Minister Kurum-Fatih Birol Joint Press Conference, March 12, 2026 (IEA / Ministry)
- Minister Kurum Global Baku Forum Speech, March 13, 2026
- Minister Kurum EU Ambassadors Briefing, March 17, 2026
- Minister Kurum Türkevi STK Meeting, March 26, 2026
- Minister Kurum UN Zero Waste Day Speech, March 30, 2026
- UNFCCC COP31: https://unfccc.int/cop31
- Turkey COP31 Road to Antalya: https://unfccc.int/cop31/the-road-to-antalya
Sık Sorulan Sorular
What is Murat Kurum's vision for COP31?
Murat Kurum's COP31 presidency is built on three core principles: Dialogue, Consensus, and Action. He has stated: 'We designed COP31 not as a conference, but as an action process that produces solutions.' This implementation-focused approach aims to bridge the gap between climate pledges and real-world action.
What did Murat Kurum say at the UN General Assembly?
On March 27, 2026, Kurum addressed 193 UN member states: 'Countries want a COP where implementation, not just commitments, is discussed. We call this the Implementation COP.' He also met with UN Secretary-General Guterres, who expressed full support for Turkey's COP31 presidency.
What is the Implementation COP concept?
The Implementation COP is Turkey's central thesis for COP31. According to Kurum: 'We don't view COP31 solely as a platform where new commitments are discussed, but as a process where words turn into actions, trust is built, and tangible progress is made.' It addresses the widely acknowledged gap between climate pledges and real-world implementation.
What did IEA Director Fatih Birol say about COP31?
At their joint press conference on March 12, 2026, IEA Director Birol stated: 'Having a strong country like Turkey presiding over COP is an important opportunity for the world.' He also noted that globalizing Turkey's Zero Waste approach could reduce emissions equivalent to the combined annual output of Japan and Germany.
What international support does COP31 have?
COP31 has secured broad international backing: UN Secretary-General Guterres pledged full support, IEA Director Birol called it 'an important opportunity for the world,' France, Germany, and Brazil expressed full support, EU ambassadors were briefed on climate cooperation, and 140 US business leaders attended Turkey's vision presentation.
What did Murat Kurum say about Zero Waste at the UN?
At the UN International Zero Waste Day on March 30, 2026, Kurum stated: 'Zero Waste is not a choice, it is a necessity.' He announced that Turkey will elevate Zero Waste to a core pillar of COP31, targeting the waste sector's 70 million tons of annual global emissions.