New Delhi: The 31st United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP) will be guided by “dialogue, consensus and action”, Murat Kurum, COP31 president-designate said in his opening remarks on Monday.
At the plenary session of COP31’s opening in Turkey’s Antalya, Kurum called for countries to step up climate action, especially in a world that is quickly changing.
“As we meet today, let us begin by looking at the world around us. It is changing fast, under pressure from many challenges at once. War and geopolitical tension persist, trade routes, energy networks and supply chains are being redrawn. For millions, economic uncertainty, heavy debt and the high cost of living shape daily life. Hundreds of millions struggle to put food on the table,” Kurum said in his address.
He said that Antalya’s call is to let dialogue grow as divisions deepen, restore trust where it is under strain, put resources to work as needs grow, and close the gap between our promises and people’s lives.
“We want COP31 to deliver on that call as an ‘Implementation COP’,” he said.
On Monday, COP31 opened in Antalya, with Turkey hosting the conference and holding the COP presidency, and Australia leading the negotiations.
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Call for action
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, said that COP this year must supercharge solutions — breaking-down existing global targets and national plans into component steps, and landing practical solutions.
“Strong outcomes on the mandated negotiation items are essential. The stronger the outcomes, the more they will help Parties convert their targets into real-world outcomes, spreading more benefits to more people,” Stiell said in his opening address.
Steill also spoke about the recent flash floods in Nepal, which killed over 1,500 people, and the risk of El Niño that is causing extreme temperatures across the world.
“The urgency of this moment must drive us forward. Global heating is already costing the Earth. Appalling tragedy has hit the Himalayas, adding to the ever-expanding catalogue hitting communities across every region. A monster El Niño is piling fuel on the climate fire that is already burning through communities and economies everywhere,” he said.
“Profound injustice threatens our solidarity and collective progress,” he added.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)