Environment and Urbanization Minister Mehmet Özhaseki said Turkey expects just and comprehensive implementation of the Paris Agreement's principles and welcomed efforts in line with Ankara's demands.
Özhaseki attended the 23rd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 23) in Bonn, Germany and held bilateral meetings with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and German Environment Ministry Undersecretary Jochen Flasbarth on Nov. 16.
"Our expectation from the [Paris climate] accord is that countries that have similar economic growth rates should have access to the same opportunities and take similar responsibilities," Özhaseki said at the summit in Bonn.
Turkey signed the U.N. Paris Agreement along with 171 countries to manage the threats posed by climate change.
Even though Turkey signed the agreement, it has yet to be ratified in Parliament. Turkey is considered a developed country, which prevents it from accessing the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Ankara has stressed that the status should be changed.
Özhaseki said the talks were positive, as Ankara's concerns and demands were conveyed during the bilateral talks and some suggestions were offered to Turkey to enable it to benefit from the fund. The minister also welcomed Guterres' sensitive approach to the issue.
He said the principles of mutual but differentiated responsibilities, relative capability and fairness should be effectively used in order to reach the goals set by the Paris climate accord.
Özhaseki said it is of the utmost importance that the implementation principles of the Paris climate accord be just, comprehensive and applicable to all sides. He added that Turkey demands access to the GCF and technological support, as the other developing countries benefit from them.
"In line with our request, negotiations have continued in full swing before and after the Paris climate accord," Özhaseki said, and stressed that Ankara expects a decision to be made.
Highlighting that climate change is a global threat, Özhaseki said this threat requires forming a global alliance and that Turkey has been putting forth great effort in the fight against climate change. "We have taken essential steps for energy efficiency and prepared the Energy Efficiency Road Map," Özhaseki said. He added that Turkey has also accelerated its efforts in renewable energy.
