Türkiye wants to build on the steps taken at COP29 in Azerbaijan when it hosts COP31 in Antalya, COP31 Director General and Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Fatma Varank said.
According to Report, she made the remarks during a panel session titled "Advancing the Urban Dimension of Climate Action: From WUF13 to COP31" held as part of Baku Climate Action Week 2026.
Varank said three issues would receive particular attention as the priorities of the Baku Call to Action are carried forward at COP31.
"First, climate commitments become a reality only when they are aligned with spatial planning, decisions that translate climate goals into construction, and building standards. Green buildings and nature-based solutions are no longer an exception, but a necessity.
"Second, urban and regional authorities should have more direct and easier access to international funds. We invite development banks and the private sector to scale up urban climate investments. Türkiye has set a specific target under the climate-resilient cities heading in its COP31 Call to Action.
"Third is multilevel governance. Neither adaptation nor emissions-reduction targets can be achieved without strengthening cooperation between national governments and local authorities. Energy intensity in the building sector should be reduced by 25% by 2035. To support the financing of this target, we are developing a model to assist municipalities - the Sustainable Cities Resilience Fund project," she said.
Varank also emphasized that the climate partnership between Türkiye and Azerbaijan would continue.