COP31 President Murat Kurum urged governments opening climate talks in Antalya on Monday to turn financing promises into projects, putting access to money for developing countries at the center of the summit.
Kurum, Türkiye’s environment, urbanization and climate change minister, called for governments to follow through on the finance decision reached in Baku. It sets a goal of at least $300 billion a year for developing countries by 2035, with developed countries taking the lead. Separately, it calls on all actors to work toward at least $1.3 trillion annually for developing countries by 2035.
The presidency’s Climate Implementation Bridge is intended to connect countries and projects seeking investment or technology with financing and technology partners. The presidency has identified limited capacity and fragmented investment opportunities as obstacles to getting climate projects underway.
On energy, Kurum backed the presidency’s goal for electricity to supply 35% of global final energy use by 2035. The goal is part of the presidency’s action agenda, outside the formal negotiations. The Energy Transitions Commission puts electricity’s current share at about 20%.
Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, COP31 President of Negotiations, said the distribution of climate funding is skewed against the countries most in need. Bowen announced an agreement with Kurum to seek a presidency-initiated, party-led decision to accelerate climate action. That decision remains a proposal.
Türkiye is hosting the summit and oversees its action agenda, while Bowen leads formal negotiations under a Türkiye-Australia arrangement. UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell called for better access to promised finance, more renewable power and lower methane emissions in his opening address.
World leaders are scheduled to meet in Antalya on Nov. 11-12. The conference runs through Nov. 20.
