Towards COP31: Policy dialogue brings partners together to Advance South–South Climate Cooperation

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion and the United Nations (UN) in Türkiye convened a policy dialogue in Türkiye’s capitol Ankara today to advance South–South and triangular cooperation as a practical means of accelerating climate action. The dialogue was supported by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).

The meeting marked an initial step towards establishing a Türkiye-anchored South–South and Triangular Cooperation Climate Initiative. The proposed initiative aims to connect developing countries with practical solutions, expertise, technologies and financing while supporting climate resilience and implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions, particularly in Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.

“COP31 presents a timely opportunity to demonstrate how South–South and triangular cooperation can drive climate implementation. Beyond negotiations, we must strengthen platforms that connect countries with solutions, innovators with investors, and local experience with global partnerships” said Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation in the video message she sent to the meeting in Ankara. 

She added in her message Türkiye’s development cooperation experience, institutional capacities and connections across regions provided a strong foundation for climate cooperation among developing countries. 

“South–South and triangular cooperation offers a different logic: peer-to-peer, demand-driven and country-owned. It moves beyond the language of donor and recipient towards partnership among equals. Türkiye’s reach, institutional capacity and cooperation philosophy make it a natural anchor for a regional—and, in time, global—hub for climate cooperation, technology exchange and partnership building” said Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye, at the opening of the policy dialogue.

Dr. Ahonsi highlighted that TİKA’s programme offices, embedded in partner countries, bring two decades of experience in the peer-to-peer, demand-driven cooperation that climate adaptation urgently requires.

Dr. Ahonsi said the UN would help convene partners, connect solutions with needs and translate political commitment into structured cooperation. He also highlighted the role of the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion in bridging intergovernmental negotiations with implementation by cities, regions, businesses, investors and civil society.

“Building on Türkiye’s Zero Waste initiative, launched under the leadership of H.E. First Lady Emine Erdoğan and drawing on TİKA’s extensive field experience in development cooperation, we hope today’s dialogue will lay the foundations for a practical roadmap towards a Türkiye-anchored South–South and Triangular Cooperation Climate Initiative” said Abdullah Eren, President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) at his speech during the opening session. 

“Our objective is to transform ideas into concrete partnerships, deliver tangible outcomes for COP31, and strengthen climate resilience in the countries and communities most affected by climate change” emphasized TİKA President Eren. 

Speaking on behalf of COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, Director General of the Zero Waste Foundation Mustafa Erdağı expressed his appreciation to all partners for their support in making the dialogue possible. He also thanked participants for their attendance and engagement, wishing them "a very inspiring and productive programme.”

More than 130 participants representing governments, UN entities, development partners, international financial institutions, academia, civil society and the private sector discussed opportunities for cooperation in climate technology and innovation, circular economy and resource efficiency, adaptation and nature-based solutions, the translation of policy into practice, and financing for climate initiatives. Discussions also explored partnerships and pilot initiatives that could be further developed in the lead-up to COP31 and beyond.

From dialogue to implementation

The dialogue focused on identifying climate solutions already tested in developing-country contexts that could be adapted and scaled elsewhere. Participants considered how peer learning, technology transfer, institutional partnerships and innovative financing—including blended finance, climate funds and triangular cooperation arrangements—could support implementation. They identified concrete initiatives, partnerships and investment opportunities that could be developed and showcased at COP31. 

The ideas and partnerships emerging from the dialogue in Ankara are expected to inform follow up work towards a potential side event at COP31.

South–South and Triangular Cooperation can help turn shared challenges into practical, locally owned climate solutions while advancing a more equitable and inclusive global transition.