UN Türkiye and COP31 Climate High-Level Champion Convene Roundtable to Strengthen Climate Cooperation

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Türkiye and the COP31 Climate High-Level Champion convened a coordination roundtable in Ankara to strengthen collaboration and identify priority initiatives to accelerate climate action in the lead-up to COP31.

Co-hosted by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator and the COP31 Climate High-Level Champion, the meeting brought together senior representatives from relevant ministries, members of the United Nations system in Türkiye, including COP31 Task Team members and the High-Level Champion’s team to explore opportunities for joint action on issues including zero waste, circular economy, food systems transformation and inclusive climate action.

Opening the meeting, UN Resident Coordinator in Türkiye Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi emphasized the importance of translating global climate ambition into tangible results.

“A decade after the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the global climate agenda is increasingly focused on implementation, scale and measurable impact,” he said. “COP31 offers a valuable opportunity to accelerate people-centered climate action and translate ambition into concrete results.”

Dr. Ahonsi highlighted that the United Nations system in Türkiye stands ready to support this effort through a coordinated Whole-of-UN approach, bringing together expertise across areas such as climate policy, sustainable finance, industrial decarbonization, resilient agriculture and food systems, disaster risk reduction and sustainable urban development.

COP31 Climate High-Level Champion Samed Ağırbaş underlined the importance of inclusivity and broad participation in climate action.

“This COP must be everyone’s COP,” he said, emphasizing that youth participation will be a key priority in the lead-up to COP31.

He also highlighted the importance of working closely with the United Nations system and other partners to advance climate solutions that are people-centered and inclusive, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups.

The priorities of the COP31 High-Level Champion include advancing inclusive and people-centered climate action, promoting zero waste and circular economy approaches, strengthening food security, and ensuring the active participation of youth and women in climate solutions.

Participants discussed opportunities to strengthen the integration of UN agencies into the COP31 process and explored ways to expand collaboration with civil society and other stakeholders.

The meeting also highlighted the role of the Zero Waste Foundation as a key partner in advancing circular economy solutions and building momentum toward COP31, including through the Zero Waste Forum planned for June 2026.

The roundtable concluded with agreement to continue coordination between the COP31 Climate High-Level Champion team and the United Nations system in Türkiye to identify joint initiatives and develop a roadmap for collaboration in the lead-up to COP31.